On Thursday 8 April 2021, London’s St Martin-in-the-Fields presents a spectacular audio-visual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah as part of the iconic venue’s weekly online concert series – Fresh Horizons – supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
This exclusive performance unites the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and St Martin’s Voices with light projections curated by Nina Dunn Studio to create a unique audio-visual experience. Handel’s masterpiece oratorio will also feature soloists Carolyn Sampson (Soprano), James Way (Tenor) and Benson Wilson (Baritone), all enhanced by dramatic animated illuminations on the church’s iconic East Window.
Ticket holders can watch the performance online from 7.30pm on Thursday 8 April, available to watch an unlimited number of times for the following 30 days. The concert was pre-recorded on 23 March 2021 at the venue where the performers and St Martin-in-the-Fields closely followed government guidance and adhered accordingly to the latest advice.
Running from January to April 2021, the Fresh Horizons series offers fourteen streamed concerts recorded in the beautiful surroundings of St Martin-in-the-Fields church.
The Fresh Horizons concert series follows the venue’s announcement for a new vision for music at St Martin’s to broaden its musical output and provide greater opportunities for musicians and audiences. This new phase of its music programme has the aim of shaping a series of carefully curated, sector-leading and inspiring performances.
Andrew Earis, Director of Music at St Martin-in-the-Fields said: ‘Keeping our music programme running throughout the pandemic has been hugely important to us at St Martin-in-the-Fields, and we have been thrilled by the enthusiasm of both our performers and audiences. Through the Fresh Horizons series, our aim is to create a programme that welcomes a broad range of world-leading musicians and artists, both up-and-coming and established. I am delighted to see our music programme continue to grow, and look forward immensely to welcoming these artists and ensembles to our beautiful building.’
Alan Watt, Chief Executive, Academy of St Martin in the Fields says: ‘We are so excited to be back performing at St Martin-in-the-Fields, our namesake church, joining forces with St Martin’s Voices and incredible soloists to perform one of the most famous pieces of sacred music – Handel’s Messiah. Its message of hope is one we all need in such uncertain times. Equally exciting is the collaboration with the award-winning projection artist Nina Dunn who will bring the music into technicolour with incredible projection mapping on the famous East Window.’
Tickets for the entire series are now on sale through smitf.org/fresh-horizons. Tickets are priced at £10.