WITH Limerick Choral Union tradition favouring Handel’s ‘Messiah’ every second year, local audiences can enjoy this perennial favourite on Sunday December 8 at 8pm. The soloist line up of four acclaimed artists will augment the sense of occasion.
Soprano Róisín O’Grady is booked, she who sang for President Obama in the White House two years ago, “as is Karl Scully, the Limerick born tenor who is one of The Irish Tenors,” confirms musical director Malcolm Green. “He is flying in from America for the event, which is very exciting. We have the mezzo-soprano Imelda Drumm from Dublin who is well-known and Brendan Collins, bass, an operatic soloist”.
University Concert Hall is fitting venue for the mighty ranks of LCU’s 90 plus members, now approaching their 50th anniversary in January.
According to Malcolm, ” we have an orchestra of 26 professional musicians joining us also, from Dublin, Cork, and of course, Limerick and this must be my eighth time directing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ for the union”.
Still, neither he nor Limerick Choral Union experience any sense of fatigue with the project. “It is such a favourite with the audience and so appropriate for Christmas,” he enthuses. “I think it has the best choruses and what shines is Handel’s compassion for humanity.”
Sunday 8 will command a big house at this 1000-seater so book in advance on www.uch.ie for choral power.
