If you missed out on the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's performance of Handel's "Messiah" at the West Gippsland Arts Centre earlier this month, tune in to 3BBR FM's Concert Hall program at 2pm on Sunday December 22 and enjoy the spectacular oratorio from the comfort of your own home.

Directed by MSO artist in residence and baroque music specialist Erin Helyard, the sold out performance of "Messiah" featured the vocal talents of soprano Cathy-Di Zhang, alto Helen Sherman, tenor Michael Petruccelli, bass David Greco, the MSO Chorus and the West Gippsland Chorale.
As part of the West Gippsland Chorale's 40th anniversary year celebrations, the Chorale joined forces with the MSO Chorus in the first of a series of regional performances of "Messiah", prior to the Hamer Hall concerts in Melbourne.
While it was opera that made George Frideric Handel famous, his oratorio "Messiah" is still as potent today as it was at its premiere more than 280 years ago.
According to Grassineau's 1740 Musical Dictionary, an oratorio, is "a sort of spiritual opera...the subject thereof is usually taken from the scripture, or is the life and actions of some saint".
In contrast to Handel's other oratorios, singers in "Messiah" don't take on dramatic roles. "Messiah" serves as a reflection on the significance of the life and death of Jesus Christ.
The performance was recorded by 3BBR FM recording engineer, Garry Havrillay for the 3BBR FM Concert Hall and will be presented by fine music presenter Joseph Baraké at 2pm on Sunday.