Fiori’s festive fun

The ensemble will share the festive spirit with their popular annual performance of Mr Handel’s Messiah at the Guildhall on Wednesday December 23.

The concert will feature all the trumpets, drums, choir, soloists and full baroque orchestra of Fiori Musicali in full swing.

Fiori are one of the main providers of professional classical and early music concerts outside London, playing to thousands of music lovers each season.

Their concerts take them far and wide and have just returned from performing in The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy in London – Her Majesty’s private chapel off the Strand.

However for their big traditional Christmas concert the group, based in Preston Capes, return to Northampton to celebrate the season in style at the Guildhall with their popular performance of Mr Handel’s Messiah.

Handel’s music has been admired by English audiences ever since the early 1700s and Messiah with its famous rousing Hallelujah chorus makes a wonderful start to Christmas. It was said that King George II was so impressed with this chorus when he heard it that he actually stood up for it, and audiences ever since stand up for this splendid moment in the piece.

This performance is very special both for Northamptonshire and for Fiori Musicali. The orchestra may appear far afield, but locally-based professional orchestra Fiori Musicali always design their winter series concerts in and around Northamptonshire, so that when they finally reach Christmas audiences can enjoy Fiori’s biggest and most impressive performance right in the heart of our county, in Northampton’s fine Guildhall.

The line-up this year includes the exquisite Grace Davidson in the star soprano role. Grace’s career continues apace – her effortless soprano voice is widely admired, she is often to be seen on television with The Sixteen, and her performances with Fiori are always eagerly awaited by audiences.

Penelope Rapson, Fiori’s director, comments, “it is always thrilling to have Grace singing with us. She has featured in Simon Russell Beale’s highly successful BBC Four television series, Sacred Music, and her beautiful clear voice attracts accolades across Europe. ”

Fiori’s Messiah is always the highlight of their winter season. Tickets are selling fast – and are available on line at Fiori-musicali.com - ticket prices from £25 to £30 for the top of the range seats.

For more details or to book call the booking line on 0333 666 3366 or go to www.fiori-musicali.com to book online. Concessions are available for children, students, unemployed and blue badge holders.