Visionary new-style classical music experience to launch: Handel’s Messiah: The Live Experience

Visionary new-style classical music experience to launch with a starry performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ at Theatre Royal on Drury Lane this December!

Designed specifically to appeal to both lovers of classical music, and those who are new to the art form, Handel’s Messiah: The Live Experience at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on 6 Dec 2022 will launch a new style of a classical music concert experience. This first work is centred on one of the most famous works ever written and the most chosen piece of music ever on Desert Island Discs – Handel’s Messiah.

With world-class musicians and innovative and imaginative lighting design, visual effects, choreography and staging, the event promises to immerse audiences in a powerful and theatrical new setting for Handel’s much-loved musical telling of the story of Christ – with its universal human themes of birth, hope, joy, suffering, sacrifice and redemption. 

Stars who will perform at the classical extravaganza include Danielle de Niese who has been hailed as “opera’s coolest soprano” by New York Times Magazine. Danielle regularly appears on the world’s most prestigious opera and concert stages and is a prolific recording artist, TV personality and philanthropist.

Winner of the BBC Musician Magazine Personality of the Year 2022, Opera Singer Nicky Spence who will be known to audiences as a judge and mentor on Sky Arts’ TV show Anyone can sing and lead presenter in Sky’s upcoming TV documentary Football Fan to Opera Star.

English National Opera regular and “creamy-toned high soprano” (The Arts Desk) Idunnu Münch and American Bass-Baritone Cody Quattlebaum, commended by Opera News as “a powerhouse, commanding of presence, virile of sound, and articulate even in the swiftest exchanges” make up the quartet

Under the baton of conductor Gregory Batsleer, Artistic Director and founding member of Classical Everywhere, these impressive internationally acclaimed artists will perform alongside the English Chamber Orchestra and London Symphony Chorus. 

They will perform an edited version of Handel’s enduring masterpiece, loved primarily for the sheer beauty and power of its music with its famous choruses and well-known melodies. 

Classical Everywhere’s vision is to bring together the world’s greatest classical musicians and music with outstanding venues and creative and imaginative staging. The aim is to enhance the narrative and emotional power of the music to create an evocative, exhilarating and entertaining classical experience that will appeal to ever wider audiences. 

Conventions of a typical classical concert will be put aside, and audiences are encouraged to ignore their preconceptions, relax and enjoy the aural and visual spectacle.

The original Theatre Royal, Drury Lane – one of London’s oldest and most prominent theatres – was well known to Handel in the 1700s and his music remained popular there right up to the 1900s, with almost annual performances of Messiah. These would have been as popular with audiences then as the big West End productions playing there are now. By choosing this stunning setting, recently lovingly restored by LW Theatres, Classical Everywhere brings Handel’s great work back to its roots, reclaiming it from the classical concert hall for a wider public once again. 

The production will be designed for touring so it can easily be adapted to travel in future to stunning venues globally.

6 December 2022, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, 7.30pm

Classical Everywhere presents Handel’s Messiah: The Live Experience

Running time: Approximately 2 hours (including 20-minute interval)

Tickets: £25-£75

Further information and booking at

immersivehandelsmessiah.com

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