Handel's Messiah Tickets

Members of Ottawa's NACO with Trevor Pinnock at the helm were in superb form on this, the final night of the NAC's production of Handel's Messiah. The performance, at least to my untrained ear, was flawless - the soloists, tenor Benjamin Butterfield, baritone Kyle Ketelsen, soprano Geraldine McGreevy and contralto Marie-Nicloe Lemieux were excellent. The Cantata Singers of Ottawa combined with Ottawa's Seventeen Voyces simply shone! I last saw the Messiah performed by the TSO and Toronto's Mendelsohn Choir - Ottawa easily topped that performance. This was a performance not to be missed and to be savoured for a long, long time.

A holiday tradition, yes, but I still found it drab. Def drabber than usual and not deserving of a standing ovation. What's with the Ottawa NAC goers? Must EVERY performance warrent a standing ovation? Are we this hard-up? When did mediocre become exceptional? Stand when it is Exceptional, that's the point.

The trumpeter was amazing as always. The choir was totally disciplined. The soloists were a joy to hear. Trevor Pinnock was worth the price of admissions. One chorus included was completely new to me.

Since this is the first time I ever saw, heard and lived this oratorio, I was totally enthralled with the whole performance. The subject matter has always been dear to my heart, the story of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The christian story of our salvation is well known, but I had no idea that this could draw a crowd that filled the NAC! The performance was amazing, starting of course with the conductor Trevor Pinnock. He was his usual energetic, enthusiastic,, but most of all his sensitive self. The orchestra itself was perfectly in tune with the subject and added to the beauty of it all. The choir made up of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa and Seventeen Voyces, was fantastic, I coul follow every word and musical nuance that was being offered up for our enjoyment, contemplation and enrichment. Marie-Nicole Lemieux, Geraldine McGreevy, Benjmin Butterfield and Robert Gleadow all were inspiring and soul-stirring. I thank all who were involved in this production for a truly uplifting and glorious experience.

Trevor Pinnock directed the Cantata Chorus and together they sounded like a recording! It was truly an exceptional evening!

Tuesday evening, we went with my husband to see Messiah performance at NAC and were a bit disappointed. The chorus was not bad but not a powerful and ocean like cascade of voices. Its power was on a soft side. The noble conductor’ duties to direct the orchestra, plus work with the chorus, plus stay in touch with each of the four soloists were challenged because conductor decided to played a harpsichord on a top this. It was funny and entertaining, but, as a result, of the conductor’s enormous effort to be on time with all his responsibilities, his dispersed attention was not good enough for any of his tasks. The three parts of the Messiah: soloists, chorus and orchestra did not work in the harmony. The soloists were not equal in the level and strength of their contribution to the show. The bass and soprano voices were great. However, alt and tenor were lacking perfection and power. They, maybe, overworked their voices during the rehearsal. In addition, we were wondering how it is possible to let people to bring babies into the concert hall of such greatness. The baby in front of us was talking and crying for the first part of the show, until some of our “evil” neighbour asked them to leave.

Handel's Messiah was the best I have ever attended over the years at the Nac. It was breathtaking as I sat with my eyes closed imagining this is what heaven sounds like. I felt honoured to be in attendance.

With Pinnock at the helm, the soloists, the choir, and the NACO rendered Messiah in a manner that would have had Handel himself on his feet applauding wildly. The tempi were slightly faster than one might have expected, but they gave the well-known piece an uplifting rhythm that served to prevent it from bogging down in sentimentality. Tuning and phrasing were spot on, and the soloists rendered their pieces as if they were making music and not a living. The only downside event was when everything came to a crashing halt while late-comers were seated. I think every one of those people should be required to write a letter of apology to maestro Pinnock.

The best ever performance of Handel's Messiah! The Cantata Singers, Seventeen Voyces, NAC orchestra and the soloists were perfectly blended under Trevor Pinnock's direction.

I enjoyed the music. This was a change from my normal Friday night schedule and I was rewarded. Its unfortunate that the attendance was low. I'd prefer this event over the other feature next door withint eh same building.