Event

Handel meets the Irish

The City Cantabile Choir will perform traditional Celtic music that might have been heard on the streets of Dublin at the time of Handel's visit in 1742, featuring Irish step dancing and the Uilleann pipes followed by the Christmas movements of Handel's Messiah.

It is a little known fact that George Frideric Handel's MESSIAH, arguably the most well known oratorio of all, had its world premiere in Dublin Ireland in April 1742. This much anticipated event was performed at Neales Music Hall on Fishamble Street with the concert to benefit charitable organizations. With much anticipation for an overflow audience, gentlemen attendees were advised not to wear their swords and the ladies not to wear hoop skirts.

City Cantabile Choir, directed by Frederick West, invites you to a re-imagining of this historic event. With our dazzling chamber orchestra and acclaimed soloist Christine Knackstedt, we bring the Christmas choruses and solos of the Messiah to life. In addition, we will be performing beautiful choral arrangements of traditional Celtic music. We are excited to be joined by virtuoso performers Tom Creegan on Uilleann pipe and Randal Bays on fiddle, special guest Jeri Howe on Celtic harp, and youthful Irish step-dancers.