Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra | Handel’s Messiah
December 7, 2025, Melbourne Town Hall
The Occasion
On December 7th, as fires raged through NSW, the Ashes nearly decided in the cricket, the Underworld revered at the Regent (by Opera Australia), the Good Food and Wine Festival bringing calorific delight at the Convention Centre, a sure-fire Chrissy staple re-emerged for the annual outing and salute to the indomitable and immortal nature of human faith… yes, it can only be Handel’s beloved, Messiah.
Hot footing from a seasonal show at nearby Fed Square, the Edge, to the iconic Melbourne Town Hall, the timely 5pm performance seemed like a shepherd ushering in the festive season.
This comes at a time when much attention is focussed on the incredible museum in Brook St, Mayfair London which was the home of both Handel and trailblazing rock US guitarist, Jimmy Hendrix. Indeed, separated by 250 years and two floors, these two honourable H’s happily and heartily habitated in the same dwelling. Now lovingly restored, the ground floor is all ‘George Frideric’. Original manuscripts and lovingly restored harpsichords adorn GFH’s apartment. A bucket list must.
Handel – the ‘Disputed’ Composer
George Frideric Händel (1685–1759) was a German-born composer who became one of Britain’s defining musical figures. Celebrated for Messiah, Water Music, and his operas and oratorios, he shaped Baroque music across Europe. Though born in Halle, his long career in London led both Germans and Britons to claim him as “theirs,” a testament to his remarkable cross-cultural legacy and enduring influence.
Messiah: A Short History
Handel’s Messiah, composed in 1741, is one of the most celebrated oratorios in Western music. Its libretto was compiled by Charles Jennens, who assembled biblical texts from the Old and New Testaments into a three-part meditation on Christ’s birth, sacrifice and resurrection. Premiering in Dublin in 1742, the work quickly gained iconic status. Its “Hallelujah” chorus became synonymous with collective praise and remains central to choral tradition worldwide.
Andrew Wailes: Conductor and Producer
Andrew Wailes is a leading Melbourne conductor, arts entrepreneur, and long-serving Artistic Director of the acclaimed Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra. Renowned for versatility across choral, symphonic, operatic, and contemporary repertoire, he has championed major works, new commissions, and large-scale collaborations. Wailes has cultivated strong community engagement, international partnerships, and innovative programming, helping position the RMP as one of Australia’s most dynamic musical institutions. His leadership continues to shape Melbourne’s cultural landscape with vision and energy.
The Performance
The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra proudly presented Handel’s Messiah for a world-record 246th time since 1853. This much-loved oratorio — famous for its radiant arias, stirring choruses, and the glorious Hallelujah and Amen climaxes — returned with over 120 musicians, the grand Town Hall organ, and a superb cast of Australian and international soloists. Under the baton of the ubiquitous Andrew Wailes, one of Australia’s finest interpreters of the work, the tradition remains as thrilling as ever, and indeed this was a sumptuous, stirring, moving performance.
The strings sounded amazing in the Town Hall. The choir was simply euphoric and clearly served Handel’s incredible SATB (four part – soprano, alto, tenor, bass) writing of cascades, sequences, and ostinati. Jenner’s’ libretto quotes Psalms 2 in part 40 with “Why do the nations so furiously fight together?” More than three millennia on this seems most apt and prescient. Special mention to Sara MacLiver who shone in the space with both her fine soprano and wonderfully lush green sequined frock. Mark it in your Xmas wish list for 2026 — a reason to be cheerful!
Cast & Musicians
Andrew Wailes, conductor
Sara Macliver, soprano
Fiona Campbell, mezzo soprano
Kyle Stegall, tenor
David Greco, baritone
Stefan Cassomenos, harpsichord & chamber organ
Andrew Bainbridge, chamber & grand organ
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra
Photo credit: Ruth Woodrow
