There are many performances of Handel's Messiah at this time of year. Many different styles, and forces,and interpretations. But this one should be the "most different" of all!

 

The Sanford Dole Ensemble (SDE) will present the premiere of the *complete* Messyah, a re-written version of Handel’s Messiah by Paul Ayres, on Monday, December 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Messyah is the work of British composer Paul Ayres. Ayres has been transforming the monumental oratorio one aria and chorus at a time since 2004. In 2008 SDE performed 32 of the 45 movements, enough to comprise a full concert and a representation of the major textual themes of Christ’s birth, passion and resurrection. This year’s concert marks the completion of the work. Ayres will be in attendance at the performance and will give a pre-concert lecture at 6:15 pm. 

 

Sanford writes: "Imagine that G F Handel had been granted three wishes: to live forever, to travel the world, and to keep writing music. The result might have been Messyah. For the past five years Ayres has been recomposing the monumental oratorio, giving each movement a fresh perspective with rhythms and musical styling that reflect the development of world music over the past 300 years."

 

Venue: San Francisco Conservatory of Music
Date: Monday 21 December 2009 7:00 PM
Tickets: $30 available from (415) 254-1787  

for more information see

www.sde.org/performances

www.sde.org/messyah

 

www.paulayres.co.uk/messyah

http://paulayres.co.uk/cd/messyah.html

 

 

 

 

Kate Simmons