Handel's Messiah by the Tower Chamber Choir and Orchestra at St Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich.AN early start for this concert since the Messiah, played in entirety is three hours long but three hours of the most beautiful music.

Handel's Messiah by the Tower Chamber Choir and Orchestra at St Mary-le-Tower Church, Ipswich.

AN early start for this concert since the Messiah, played in entirety is three hours long but three hours of the most beautiful music.

This oratorio is surely the most popular of the Christian faith.

The libretto consists of fifty-three verses taken from the old and new testaments. They express a variety of moods from contemplative to joyous, all in homage to the glory of God.

It is a deeply fulfilling composition to perform both for choir and soloists. Understandably a church is the ideal setting to convey the deep spiritually of the work.

The performers on this occasion demonstrated this admirably. The wonderful chords rose to the rafters and enveloped the very fabric of this magnificent Church.

The strong and harmonious Choir linked the verses together effortlessly. The soloists, Lindsay Gowers (Soprano), Simon Baker (Alto) Richard Edgar-Wilson (Tenor) and James Mustard (Bass) all gave virtuoso performances. hey sang with style and clarity in what must on occasions be quite challenging roles. The Orchestra was likewise worthy of merit.

All the familiar numbers For Unto Us a Child Is Born, The Trumpet Shall Sound, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion and of course The Hallelujah Chorus so familiar, so spiritually uplifting are always fresh; like a well read favourite book, they never pall.

All the performers gave the work their hearts and souls. Led by Jessie Ridley and conducted by Michael Nicolas, they played and sang to a large and very appreciative audience.

FERIAL EVANS