Messiah never fails to move

ON SONG... Saddleworth male voice choir hits all the right notes at the performance watched by hundreds including the Mayor, Councillor Shoab Akhtar and Councillor Brian Lord, chairman of the Saddleworth Parish Council

Saddleworth Male Voice Choir, augmented by female voices from other local choirs, gave its annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in the Civic Hall, Uppermill.

Such traditions are hard won — and worth preserving, otherwise one would be asking why the choir doesn’t try other admirable alternatives from time to time.

But “Messiah” never fails to move and this performance, under the tight and skilful direction of Damian Cunningham, was no exception.

Tempi were well judged, the balance of forces controlled and the singers very well drilled. The attack on entries, for instance in “Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder”, was splendid, and the choir rose triumphantly to the many challenges set by Handel.

The soloists, all young singers from the Royal Northern College of Music, are lacking maturity but showing potential. Tenor John Pierce was the most experienced, with a fine tenor voice. Andrew de Rozario gave a dramatic interpretation that hinted at future success, though here his voice didn’t quite cope with the demands placed on it. Jennifer France was at her most effective in “How Beautiful Are The Feet…”, and Louise Booker displayed a fine vocal quality, although seemed subdued and rather ill at ease — possibly because of the considerable heat in the hall.

The Pennine Orchestra, led by Donald Clarke, was on very good form and supported the performance admirably. In “The Trumpet Shall Sound” David Chapman played trumpet with great purity and precision. Altogether a very good evening, enjoyed by a capacity audience.