Handel for Christmas!

Trinidad and Tobago, The Lydians- To round up a year long celebration of 30 years of music, the Lydians will be putting on a performance of Handel's Messiah for Christmas 2009. It is said to be the first time that Handel's Messiah will be performed in its entirety with the steelpan instrument. Rehearsals have already begun and are in full swing, the choir started with the second-to-last major chorus, first. "Worthy Is The Lamb" is a rousing chorus with both technical challenges for the vocals as well as beautiful playing passages for the orchestra.

Oratorios have already been assigned to selected soloists, and this Christmas you can expect to hear from star vocalists such as tenor Eddie Cumberbatch, and sopranos Joanne Pyle and Glenis Yearwood. Joining the front line as new soloists are contraltos Elena Rawlins, Anike Richardson and tenor Jean-Paul Bethelmy.

For this performance, Dr. Pat Bishop has issued an open invitation to any singer, pannist or instrumentalist who may be interested in joining with us. (Pannists and instrumentalists -where applicable- must be able to read music comfortably.)

If you are interested in singing with us this Christmas, or, if you know a friend or a family member who is also interested, in singing pieces from Handel's Messiah, be sure to visit our rehearsals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting from the first week in July 2009. As is customary in the Lydians, there will be no auditions! The Lydians holds fast to its philosophy that anyone who is willing to sing and is dedicated to the work is welcome to join.

If you'd like to call first, you may contact our choir manager, Mr. Patrick Bertrand at 794-6391 for further details.

Messiah dates for Christmas are as follows: 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th of December 2009. Ticket release dates will be announced soon.