Handel's Messiah at Woolpit Village Hall
Handel's Messiah. East Anglia Music Society, Woolpit Village Hall, August 19.
This performance of Handel's best-known oratorio was a stunner for several reasons. The music itself, the quality and exuberance of the singing, the evident enthusiasm of all participants, and Glen Dempsey.
Why Glen Dempsey? He set up the East Anglian Music Society to back the event, he also conducted and organised the concert. Glen is just 14 years old, a Year nine student at King Edward VI School. He wanted, as he put it, to take on a "big choir project". Oratorios don't come much bigger than the Messiah, whether the conductor is 14 or 40.
He set to work some four months ago, recruiting the dozen or so orchestral players and eighteen singers from amongst his school friends, teachers and family, whilst he searched the internet to find soloists. Performers of all ages took part.
Richard Strivens, bass-baritone, expected a middle aged conductor and was delighted to discover that he was dealing with an articulate and very determined teenager. Richard's very fine and sonorous voice was a pleasure to hear. Lindsay Gumbrell's consistently expressive and powerful alto gave only delight. Susanne Vango, soprano, and Phillip Tolley, tenor, were clear and confident in their performances.
Glen set a demanding pace for all his performers, who rose valiantly to the challenge. There was some creativity at work in the running order, with the Hallelujah Chorus popping up rather unexpectedly early, but that made no difference to the brightness and zest of the occasion.
This was a special evening, enjoyed and appreciated by all who attended. Glen's musical ambitions are clearly marked out – when he becomes a household name, at least we can say that we were there!
Mary Dunk, 2009.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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