St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church will reverberate with the glorious sounds of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday, December 14, at 7.30pm.

Presented by Music for Galway in association with Resurgam and directed by Mark Duley, the Galway Messiah is a new approach to presenting Handel’s seasonal oratorio, with a focus on the local.

It’s been 10 years since the Messiah was performed in the Collegiate Church and, with sponsorship from Lifes2Good Foundation, Music for Galway and Resurgam are delighted to be able to bring it back.

Artistic Director of Resurgam Mark Duley is looking forward to directing more than 150 singers and musicians in what he describes as “a truly cross-community production of Handel’s Messiah”.

Those taking part include Galway’s Resurgam and soloists, the chamber choir Collegium and the baroque instrumental ensemble, Vespera.

This concert honours Galway’s rich heritage of amateur singing, according to Mark, with St Nicholas’ Singers and a children’s choir drawn from communities throughout the city and county sharing the stage with professional performers, to “bring this uniquely Galway performance to life”.

Music for Galway’s CEO, Anna Lardi, describes the Galway Messiah as “one of the indisputable highlights” of Music for Galway’s 44th International Concert Season, Breathe, which focuses on the voice.

‘We are thrilled to present this project, as it fits into so many aspects of our work.

“Working with Resurgam and Mark Duley guarantees that artistically this production will be top-notch. At the same time, we can offer many in the community the rewarding experience of participating in the performance.

“The local aspect also feeds into our sustainability strategy, as it allows us to minimise flying in soloists and musicians,” she says of the group’s approach to minimising the impact of its performances on the environment.

A limited number of premium tickets for the Galway Messiah are available, costing €40 each, with concessions for those over 66 being €36. Standard tickets are €30, with concessions at €27. Solidarity tickets (children, full-time students, recipients of job seeker, disability and carers’ allowance, people seeking refugee status) are available at €15.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.musicforgalway.ie or by phone 091 705962.

Pictured: The baroque instrumental ensemble Vespera will be taking part.