Each December, people flock to churches and concert halls to hear Handel's scripture-based oratorio, with its glittering succession of choruses, recitatives and arias.
The tradition of singalong Messiahs featuring thousands of unrehearsed amateur singers goes back to British Handel festivals in the 1820s, illustrating the deep community engagement.
Messiah is hardly an obvious choice for amateurs, with its blizzards of 16th notes, intricate counterpoint and excursions into the thin-air reaches of the sopranos' range.
The oratorio came to life in a vibrant performance... carried by the general enthusiasm and aided by a substantial core of what sounded like experienced choristers.
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