Handel’s Messiah – Three Choirs Concert, Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli.

By Robert Lloyd

Tabernacle Chapel has played a major role in the musical life of Llanelli, so it was appropriate that it should be the venue for a ground-breaking performance of Handel’s Messiah.

The audience was able to bathe in a rich wave of sound which captured the emotive nuances of one of the greatest choral masterpieces.

The performance was the first in an innovative ‘Three Choirs’ concert series set to span Wales.

Côr Baroc Llanelli were joined by Llandudno’s Côr Cymysg Dyffryn Conwy and Côr Glandulais from Pontarddulais.

“Together, the choirs will stage a series of concerts in different venues, tackling major works and serving up a rich tapestry of sound,” said Côr Baroc musical director D Eifion Thomas.

The massed choral ranks saw more than 160 choristers join the performance at Tabernacle Chapel.

The combined choirs created a sound which was reminiscent of the golden days of choral singing in chapels and churches and succeeded in delivering a hugely memorable performance.

The choruses and solos were sung with that intense level of conviction and commitment which is a prerequisite for any meaningful performance of Handel’s Messiah.

The exuberance of the Advent section was in wonderful contrast to the introverted and meditative Crucifixion movements, before returning to the final jubilant choruses and solos which set forth the certain conviction of Christ’s victory over Death.

Allan Fewster conducted the three choirs and received expert professional support from organist Huw Tregelles Williams and the four excellent soloists – Llio Evans (Soprano), Ann Davies-Edwards (Contralto), Eifion Thomas (Tenor), and Trystan Lewis (Bass).

Côr Baroc musical director Mr Thomas explained that the ‘Three Choirs’ idea had started when the Llanelli choir had visited Llangefni in December last year to perform Handel’s Messiah with the Dyffryn Conwy choir.

Mr Thomas added: “We were delighted to stage the first of the ‘Three Choirs’ concerts at Tabernacle Chapel (Capel Tabernacl).

“Followers of musical history will appreciate the major role that Capel Tabernacl has played in Llanelli,” said Mr Thomas.

“During the 1940s and ’50s, a host of famous singers graced the concert stage in the chapel when taking part in the annual oratorio.

“Names such as Kathleen Ferrier, Joan Hammond, Walter Widdop, Walter Glynn, David Franklyn, David Lloyd, John Cameron and a very young Joan Sutherland appeared on the concert programmes during those halcyon years.

“Times have changed, but choirs and audiences remain. So we thought, why not combine the talents of these different choirs in an effort to keep the tradition of classical choral music alive in Llanelli.”

“Let us hope that this performance of Handel’s Messiah is yet another landmark in Llanelli’s rich and continuing choral tradition.”

Pictured: Côr Baroc musical director D Eifion Thomas