Praise for Handel’s Messiah

Following the performance of Handel’s Messiah in St. Dunstan’s Church on the 15th of December 2023 the following review was received from Stewart McIlwham, ex-President of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Of the many performances of Handel’s Messiah taking place over the country this Festive season there will be few that will rise to the heavenly levels of the performance given in St Dunstan’s Church in Mayfield on the evening of Friday 15th December. Every component of the performance was outstanding; from the 4 young soloists, the first rate singing of the Chorus and the stylish and polished playing of the Orchestra.

All of this was directed with astonishing maturity, energy and conviction by the young conductor and harpsichordist Jack Gonzalez-Harding. Still only in his early 20s, his expert grasp of the structure of this long work and choice of tempi belied his tender years.

A truly special evening that will stay in the memory long into the New Year. 

Conductor: Jack Gonzalez-Harding 

Soprano: Harriet Cameron 

Countertenor: Francis Gush 

Tenor: Ruairi Bowen 

Baritone: Patrick Keefe 

Mayfield Festival Orchestra 

Members of Mayfield Consort and Friends