Collegium Vocale Seoul to Perform "Messiah" Following "St. Matthew" and "St. John Passion"

Handel's Oratorio "Messiah" to Be Performed at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on April 29
Famous for the Choral Piece "Hallelujah"

The early music ensemble Collegium Vocale Seoul will perform Handel's oratorio "Messiah" at 7:30 p.m. on April 29 at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center.

"Messiah" is a representative work of the oratorio genre, with the choral piece "Hallelujah" being particularly well known.

Collegium Vocale Seoul was founded in 2007 and has consistently presented authentic choral music. In 2023 and 2024, the ensemble drew attention by performing Bach's St. Matthew Passion and St. John Passion in succession. Notably, the 2023 performance of the St. Matthew Passion earned them the Best Music Award at the 2nd Seoul Arts Awards.

Handel's "Messiah" is fundamentally modeled after German Passion music, but it is a masterpiece in which one can experience Handel's international stature as a composer in a single work. The oratorio features a Sinfony in the style of a French overture, a pastoral symphony (Pifa) rooted in the Italian instrumental tradition, and a grand final chorus that highlights the majestic English choral tradition.

Collegium Vocale Seoul plans to perform the complete "Messiah" by Handel, which runs for 160 minutes. Due to the extensive length of the work, it is sometimes performed with certain movements omitted.

Soprano Kim Jenny, countertenor Jung Minho (an alumnus of Collegium Vocale Seoul), tenor Kim Hyojong, and bass Park Joosung will appear as soloists.

The orchestra will be performed by Collegium Musicum Seoul, an ensemble of early music specialists, using Baroque instruments. Collegium Vocale Seoul and Collegium Musicum Seoul are collaborative early music groups that have performed together on numerous occasions.