15th April 2000

Messiah at Marylebone

The day before Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week is a most appropriate time to perform Messiah. The first performance was on the Tuesday before Easter and Handel never performed the work at any other time of year. We made a change from our previous venue with Messiah (although one member of the chorus did go to Euston thinking that was where we always did it). The response from chorus members was magnificent. I would like to say the same of the orchestra but there are a number of reasons why I can't. Those who did come performed valiantly - one advantage of the occasion was to discover how wonderful the 'cello part of Messiah is. Nevertheless, we did perform almost the entire Messiah to the amusement or delight of the passengers travelling through the station. If the Americans who took a video of us read this, would they please send me a copy. In spite of the weather and the small crowds, we raised £131.43 and, as there were no expenses, all of this was given to the Coram Family Trust. Handel was a Governor of the Foundling Hospital having, in May 1749, offered to give a concert to raise money to finish the Chapel. He gave annual performances of Messiah for the Hospital until his death and bequeathed the rights to the work to it as well. The Hospital was founded in 1739 by Thomas Coram and Coram Family continues its work today. You can find out more about the charity and its work by visiting their website:

Registered charity number: 312278
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