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Jessica Duchen
Thursday 26th November 2009
'Messiah' Returns...
My column in the December print edition of Standpoint is about the pros and cons of staging as an opera a work that is not one. Mainly, though not exclusively, Handel's Messiah, which is about to take the stage at ENO directed by Deborah Warner. Canvassing opinion about whether such things are good for the work and good for the audience, I found a resounding "No" from Andras Schiff, a hearty "Yes" from Tony Palmer and a very spirited defence from conductor Laurence Cummings, who takes the helm at the Coliseum and points out, among other things, that this is virtually the only way that as a performer you can rehearse Messiah for six weeks, as opposed to throwing it together in a day. Enjoy.
 
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Peter
November 27th, 2009
5:11 PM
I really like staged performances of oratorios which often involve a lot of action (though not sure of Robert White's (?) very minimalist production of the Bach St John's Passion in Vilnius, requiring very little movement and being only an inch away from boring (though after a few performances of Gergiev's operas earlier this year, this suddenly became much less boring). There's usually a wonderful film of one of the passions on German TV around Easter; I also seem to remember a stunning production of one of the passions on British TV, with a very tiny cast. But I suppose for those who like to use these as contemplation any movement is too much....

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About Jessica Duchen

Jessica Duchen is a music journalist and the author of four novels, two biographies and several stage works. She writes regularly for The Independent and BBC Music Magazine. Her latest novel, Songs of Triumphant Love, is published by Hodder.

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