Hallelujah! Anniversary celebrations continue

Posted on October 8, 2024 by Fenella Andrews

Continuing their 200th Anniversary celebrations, Ipswich Choral Society return to Ipswich Corn Exchange to perform Handel’s choral masterpiece ‘Messiah’ on 14th December. It is one of the most performed works in the Society’s history, with excerpts first sung at a concert by the choir in 1825.

Joining Ipswich Choral Society for this performance are special guests Ipswich Chamber Choir, celebrating their 40th anniversary this year. Celebrating 25 years as President of Ipswich Choral Society, Cem Mansur will conduct both choirs, along with soloists from the Royal Academy of Music and the ICS Festival orchestra.

Ipswich Choral Society

Ipswich Choral Society

The Ipswich Choral Society is a friendly choir of some 80 members, formed in 1824 and is the second oldest choral society in England.

Events with Ipswich Choral Society

Ipswich Corn Exchange is the venue that has hosted the most concerts of ‘Messiah’ by Ipswich Choral Society. Reviewing the choir archive, the concert on 14th December will be the twenty first performance of ‘Messiah’ by the Society at the Corn Exchange. The Public Hall which stood on Westgate Street opened in 1868 with seating for 1,500 people. It was a popular venue for Ipswich Choral Society concerts, with ‘Messiah’ performed there sixteen times, until it was closed in 1948.

Ipswich and Halifax Choral Societies, Snape Maltings

Other locations for Ipswich Choral Society ‘Messiah’ performances include the New Assembly Rooms in Northgate Street which opened in 1821; local churches such as St Mary-le-Tower, St Lawrence’s, St Michael’s, St Matthew’s and St Augustine’s as well as the Regent Theatre and Hippodrome Theatre in Ipswich. Further afield Ipswich Choral Society also performed ‘Messiah’ at Stowmarket Corn Exchange, Felixstowe Spa Pavilion and Snape Maltings Concert Hall for the choir’s 180th anniversary.

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As one of the best-known choral works Handel’s ‘Messiah’ holds a special place in the hearts of singers and audiences alike. With this performance, Ipswich Choral Society pays homage to the many singers who have sung with the choir since 1824. For the audience, it promises to be a fantastic evening and certainly not to be missed!

The Royal Academy of Music soloists are supported by the Josephine Baker Trust.  Further details about Ipswich Choral Society can be found at ipswichchoralsociety.org

Accompanying photos:
Ipswich Choral Society for their performance of Handel’s ”Messiah” on April 1st, 1909 at the Public Hall in Ipswich. Kindly donated to Ipswich Choral Society by Mrs Jane Kemp of Ipswich. Ipswich Choral Society Anniversary Concert at Snape Maltings, 20th April 2024. Photo credit: Matt Clarke.

 

Who wrote this about Ipswich?

Fenella Andrews

On moving to Ipswich, I decided to return back to singing and joined Ipswich Choral Society in January 2008 (having previously sung when I was (much!) younger whilst at Leeds University and with Preston Cecilian Choral Society). I love singing as part of a large choir and being a member of ICS has meant I’ve been able to make new friends in Ipswich as well. Initially helping out as part the ICS Publicity team, I became Publicity officer at the May 2010 AGM. There is a lot to organise with the general ICS publicity and concert promotions during the year. Fortunately, there is a fantastic team of choir members to help out to ensure everything gets done on time.

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