Medici Choir – Handel’s Messiah – 6.30pm

Hymn of Praise (Lobgesang, Op. 52) is a large-scale choral symphony composed in 1840 by Mendelssohn to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg. It is one of Mendelssohn’s most ambitious choral works which helped to revive interest in large, sacred choral music in the 19th century. Interestingly, he was inspired partly by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Fit for midsummer, this piece is a bright, triumphant and deeply spiritual choral work.

The University of Arkansas Children’s Choir, founded in 1997, is a community outreach programme of the University of Arkansas Music Department. The ensemble provides young singers with training in performance, musicianship, and music theory within an inclusive and supportive environment.
Its performances span a wide range of musical styles, languages, and traditions, combining strong musical standards with energy, warmth, and a commitment to creativity and inclusivity.