Music
Hallelujah - Handel's Messiah Returns to Castlebar
By Vivienne Lee
18, Sep 2014 - 20:03

The Church of the Holy Rosary in Castlebar was filled to capacity last December for a very special concert performance of Handel's Messiah. A choir of almost 100 local singers, orchestra and soloists performed Handel's famous work to much acclaim and all in a great cause. All proceeds from the event went to Mayo Roscommon Hospice with over €30,000 raised for the charity.

The event entitled, The Handel Challenge, was conceived as a way for amateur choral singers to use their singing talent to raise much need funds for local charity and to perform the World's favourite oratorio in its entirety. The choir was challenged to learn and perform, under the direction of Musical Director Kathy Fahey, all 21 choruses of Handel's Messiah in only 12 weeks and to raise sponsorship for their challenge from friends and family.

The result was a fantastic evening of music, hosted by RTE's Mary Kennedy, with the choir accompanied by the Celtic Concert Orchestra and internationally renowned soloists Regina Nathan, Anne Marie Gibbons, Eamon Mulhall and Owen Gilhooly.

The Handel Challenge returns to the Church of the Holy Rosary, Castlebar on Sunday November 2nd at 7.30pm for a repeat performance of Messiah. This year the Handel Challenge is supporting two great local organisations, Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Mayo Mental Health. The choir look forward to welcoming back the four soloists from last year along with The Dublin Oratorio Players under the direction of Kathy Fahey and Guest conductor John O'Keefe.

Tickets for this unique event are on sale now priced at €25 from Mayo Mental Health, New Antrim Street, Castlebar and from Mayo Roscommon Charity Shops in Castlebar and Westport. Tickets can also be purchased through any of the Handel Challenge choir members. For further details find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.