Choral act expands for epic show

CLASSICAL vocal group Vox will soon tackle the third part of one of the most celebrated choral works of the Baroque era with a concert next weekend.

Backed by a guest conductor, as well as local instrumentalists gathered specifically for the show, the acapella ensemble is bringing George Frideric Handel’s Messiah III: The Redeemer to the region.

Vox core member and bass singer Peter Freund said the show will offer something different from the group’s traditional performance.

“Normally we’d sing with just the core membership as an acapella ensemble but from time to time in the nearly 20 years we’ve been performing, we undertake bigger projects,” he said.

“We’ll do works with an orchestra and an ensemble partly to offer our audiences a different experience. Accompanied pieces can be more inviting to an audience too.”

Written in 1741, Messiah’s three parts follow Jesus Christ’s nativity, crucifixion, and resurrection respectively.

Led by guest conductor Michael Fulcher, music director of Christ Church South Yarra, and Polyphonic Voices, the show will boast 14 singers and 13 instrumentalists.

Freund said preparing for the performance has presented a few growth opportunities for Vox.

“It’s a skills development for us as well because normally we don’t work with a conductor so that brings new approaches and new skills,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for us to have broader community engagement for offering up opportunities for other singers in the Ballarat community to join on these ambitious projects.”

The main event will be interspersed with performances of a Handel-composed verse anthem As Pants the Hart, and two motets by 16th century English composer Peter Philips.

Prior to the Ballarat show, which will be held on 10 August from 2pm at the Anglican Cathedral Church of Christ the King, Vox will perform Messiah III: The Redeemer in Melbourne’s St Mary’s Anglican Church this Sunday.

The group are planning to follow up the project with Messiah’s first part during November before Christmas followed by part two for Easter next year.

Tickets to the Ballarat concert are $40 adult, $35 concession, $15 student, and free for primary school children, and can be booked at bit.ly/4c8MkuK.