”ONE usually expects to hear Handel's Messiah either at
Christmas or Easter but this performance by the Bristol Bach Choir was in celebration of the
250th anniversary of the composer's death.
Also, it was the debut of the choir's new conductor Gavin Carr. With the Bradford Baroque
Band using period instruments, this added to the authenticity of this presentation and from the
opening Sinfonia, the players were on top form. This was a very fresh interpretation which
had moments of drama from the singers, especially in the Hallelujah Chorus. This well-
disciplined choir made light work of His Yoke Is Easy and the haunting Since By Man Came
Death whilst Gavin Carr's intelligent direction helped this to be a successful occasion.
The soloists gave committed performances with Lesley Jane Rogers outstanding in I Know
That My Redeemer Liveth and Stephen Foulkes (bass) giving resonant renditions of Why Do
The Nations and the Trumpet Shall Sound where the soloist was well supported by Simon
Munday on baroque trumpet.
Will Unwins' tenor solos were sometimes a little light in the vast auditorium, but nevertheless he
had a very pure tone in the arias.
Pamela Rudge, well known in this area, sang with her usual aplomb and altogether the whole
work was given a fresh outlook by the new conductor.“
8/10
JOHN PACKWOOD, Bristol Evening Post