Challenges of The Messiah

Spokeswoman Sheila Thomas said: “Members of the Chorale are no strangers to Messiah, but it always brings fresh challenges and entails a great deal of work to bring it to as perfect a performance as possible, as is rightly expected by devotees of the choir.

“The choir of more than 100 voices will be accompanied by the Sinfonia of Arun and four highly-experienced soloists.

“By contrast, fewer than 30 singers featured in the first performance in Dublin in 1742 in which Handel himself took part. After a lukewarm initial reception from London audiences Messiah rapidly established itself as a leading work in the oratorio repertoire and its performance in the cathedral on November 12, coinciding with Remembrance weekend, is highly appropriate for this spiritually-uplifting masterpiece.”

Sheila added: “Using Bible verses from the old and new testaments, Messiah weaves memorable words and music to herald the birth of Jesus and highlight His significance as the saviour of mankind.

“Soloists will be Lucy Hall - soprano, Marie Elliott – mezzo soprano, Christopher Lermmings – tenor and James Oldfield – bass-baritone.”

The concert, with the Chorale’s MD George Jones conducting, is at the Cathedral on Saturday, November 12 at 7.30 pm. Tickets at £15 (with students under-18 half price) are available from 01243 554501, Holmes & Co. Angmering, Ronald Edwards, Rustington and Chorale members.

Log on to the website at www.theangmeringchorale.org.uk for further information and online booking.

Looking forward to 2012, the Chorale has been invited to take part in the Brandenburg Spring Choral Festival in London, one of only four choirs from outside the capital. On February 3, 60 singers will travel to St Clement Danes Church in the Strand to sing The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins, the choir’s patron.