Ayr Choral Union is opening its 150th anniversary season with a performance of Handel’s Messiah—a work with a special place in the choir’s history.
The piece was performed at Ayr Choral Union’s first major concert in 1878. Since then, the choir has returned to it a further 35 times, making the anniversary performance a link between the organisation’s earliest major event and its latest season.
A long-running part of the choir’s programme
Messiah featured prominently in the choir’s programmes during the early 1930s. Between 1963 and 1973, Ayr Choral Union staged nine performances of the work.
The music also featured in a January 2005 Come & Sing event, which raised funds for people affected by the Boxing Day tsunami of 2004.
From cancelled concert to live return
The choir had been rehearsing Messiah for a March concert in 2020 when the Covid pandemic forced the event to be cancelled. As restrictions eased, the orchestra, soloists and Andy were able to perform together with distancing and screens, while the choir joined from home through Zoom because choirs were not yet permitted to meet in person.
The anniversary concert will also bring four of the group’s “Lockdown Soloists” together in person: Catriona Hewitson, Penelope Cousland, Ted Black and Colin Murray.
Ayr Choral Union said it expects strong demand for tickets and is urging audiences to book early for the performance, which launches the choir’s 150th season.