A small part of the choir singing 'The Messiah'

I got a message on Friday from a friend asking if I would help him by taking photographs at a concert he was organising at the town’s Subscription Rooms, the largest arts venue outside of Gloucester. Hugh Barton, the friend in question, is an emeritus professor of sustainable settlements, author and keen chorister. For several years he has been organising the gathering together of local choirs to create big musical performances. Today the Stroud Refugee Aid Choir, with the Capriol Chamber Orchestra were performing Handel’s ‘Messiah’. All the events Hugh organises are for the benefit of charities; his last one was Mozart’s ‘Requiem’. This performance of the Messiah was in aid of the UNICEF Afghanistan appeal, the Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and the Stroud Women’s Refuge.

Hugh wrote in the programme:
‘The tradition of using performances of the Messiah to raise money for charities goes right back to Handel himself. He raised money for the relief of prisoners, foundlings, hospitals and infirmaries …… Messiah is a great cry against violence. Handel composed the whole oratorio in just three weeks in 1781. 

Before the exultant glory of the Hallelujah chorus, come fiercely anti-war pieces: Why do the nations so furiously rage together …. Let us break their bonds asunder and cast away their yoke from us. It is very appropriate to sing this marvellous work in aid of those dispossessed by war and conflict.’ 

I was very impressed by the choir's singing, and by the orchestra. I managed to cover the whole performance and record the more than forty-five choristers as Hugh wants to let them have copies, if they so wish, to remember the occasion. They are of course all volunteers from the local community. The house lighting was very poor, and it was all that was available. At the beginning of the performance they switched off half of those house lights. My camera and lens were at the very edge of their technical capabilities, with nearly every shot at ISO12800. I only had one camera position too, at the rear of the balcony, so I’m pleased I’ve got any reasonable results.

I’ve only had a quick glance at all the images and chose this one to blip as at first sight it seemed both colourful and had interesting faces. I joined three other images together and formed a panorama, which Hugh has told me he likes. He is the conductor in the red shirt. Unfortunately there wasn’t room for the bassoon player who was at the extreme right of the floor.