Following a sold-out tour in 2023, Wild Arts return this Christmas with their astonishing Messiah, semi-staged by director Tom Morris (War Horse) and accompanied by a world-class chamber orchestra.
You have raised the bar so high that I can never go back to an ordinary concert version. It was outstanding.
David Furnival
"A compelling and wonderfully engaged performance with a vivid sense of drama. I was carried away. The dramatic narrative that the eight singers brought to the music, reacting to events, was palpable, with the instrumental ensemble as powerfully alert as the singers."
Robert Hugill, Planet Hugill
Monday 2 December, 7pm
New St, Chelmsford CM1 1TY
Our first visit to this beautiful cathedral.
(Formerly St John's Smith Square)
Saturday 7 December, 7pm
London SW1P 3HA
Our first visit to this iconic venue in the heart of London. Selling fast.
Tuesday 10 December, 7pm
Beaumont Street, Hexham NE46 3NB
Our first visit to the stunning Hexham Abbey in beautiful Northumberland, and our first visit to the North East!
Wednesday 11 December, 7pm
The Abbey, Carlisle CA3 8TZ
Our first visit to this incredible, 12th-century cathedral in Cumbria.
Thursday 12 December, 7pm
Priory Close, Lancaster LA1 1YZ
Our first visit to this historic Grade I listed priory overlooking Lancashire.
Sunday 15 December, 4pm
The Opera Barn, Layer Marney Tower
Sold out. We are also performing the Messiah in Chelmsford Cathedral on 2nd December and Smith Square Hall (formerly St John's Smith Square) on 7th December.
Tuesday 17 December, 7pm
Chichester, Sussex PO19 1PX
We're delighted to be back following our sell-out performance last year.
Please book soon - not many tickets left.
Thursday 19 December, 7.15pm
The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1SX
Our first visit to this beautiful Norman cathedral in Kent.
Wild Arts's Messiah (All photos by Lucy J Toms)
"Scaled down to the minimum, with soloists doubling as their own chorus and a tiny orchestra led from a chamber organ by Orlando Jopling, [Wild Arts' Messiah] delivered a paradoxically massive punch – enlarged by elements of theatre that had been programmed in by stage director Tom Morris. I’ve seen many a Messiah in my time but few as powerfully engaging as this little show which held me in its grip from start to finish."
Michael White, Catholic Herald
"Remarkable. I have never heard a performance of Messiah where the specific emotion of each movement was expressed so clearly, let alone one with any sense of underlying feeling - this was more than just a stirring recital of holy texts. Brilliant!"
"I just had to say how fantastic the Messiah was last night.. It was intimate and beautifully sung. 6 stars out of 5! If you did two nights I would go to both."
"We just got home from your AMAZING performance of the Messiah. What a show - inclusive and uplifting. The musicians perfectly balanced; an unusual staging which was perfect and brilliant."
"You have collectively raised the bar so high on the Messiah performance that I can never go back to an ordinary concert version. It was outstanding. We loved it. The drama in telling the story, the musicianship and the singing was wonderful. A thoroughly enjoyable evening."
"Absolutely brilliant! Didn’t want it to be over! Still thinking about it!
What an honour to be able to listen to such talented singers and musicians. Beautiful venue and wonderful staff/volunteers."
"Incredible performance by all and fantastic hospitality! A wonderful evening well spent."
Saturday 9 December 2023
Bedford Park, Bath Road, Chiswick
London W4 1LW
A first visit to this beautiful Arts and Crafts church in West London.
Tuesday 12 December 2023
Chichester, Sussex PO19 1PX
A first visit to this grand part-Norman, part-Gothic Cathedral in the South of England.
Thursday 14 December 2023
6 Queen Square, Bloomsbury, London
Arts and Crafts hall in central London.
Sunday 17 December 2023
The Opera Barn, Layer Marney Tower
Essex CO5 9US
Our first winter visit to the home of the Essex Summer Opera Festival.
"A superbly sung and played production that didn’t put a foot wrong! I can’t recommend this enough. More performances on their way – Do go see it!"
"As long as we have this talent available and the venues in which they can perform, we can be reassured that opera and the arts can and will survive in this country!"
Wild Arts, charity no. 1158366
South Green Farmhouse, Fingringhoe, Colchester, CO5 7DP, United Kingdom
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