This Is London Half Term Edition

10
LONDON CONCERT CHOIR: ISRAEL
IN EGYPT AT CADOGAN HALL
Handel’s great oratorio, telling the
Biblical story of the Hebrews’ escape
from oppression and slavery in Egypt,
will be performed by London Concert
Choir on Wednesday 2 November in
London’s Cadogan Hall. The choir will
be joined by the Counterpoint period
instrumental ensemble and a group of
excellent soloists. Conductor is Mark
Forkgen, who this season celebrates 20
years as the choir’s Music Director.
Israel in Egypt was first performed in
1739, three years before Messiah. Like
Messiah, Israel in Egypt has no clear
plot or dramatic characters but focuses
on nations rather than individuals. The
Mark Forkgen in rehearsal.
dominant role played by the choir may
explain why Israel in Egypt has become
one of Handel’s most popular oratorios.
Part One portrays the suffering of the
Hebrew slaves and the plagues that
finally compel the Egyptian Pharaoh to
release them. Handel’s colourful choral
and orchestral writing vividly illustrates
the rivers of blood, hopping frogs, flies
and locusts, the hailstones and the thick
darkness before the death of Egypt’s
first-born sons. At last the Hebrews
make their way on dry land through the
Red Sea, which drowns the pursuing
Egyptian army. Part Two is a song of
praise for the release of Moses and his
people. It contains rather more music for
the soloists and culminates in repeated
shouts of ‘The Lord shall reign for ever
and ever’, before the chorus brings the
oratorio to a triumphant conclusion.
London Concert Choir is one of
London’s leading amateur choirs,
regularly appearing at the major London
concert venues and notable for the
conviction and expressiveness of its
performances in an unusually broad
repertoire.
Tickets are available by telephone on
020 7730 4500 or from the website at
www.cadoganhall.com
Nearest tube station is Sloane Square.
ROYAL BALLET NUTCRACKER
RETURNS FOR FESTIVE SEASON
This November, Peter Wright’s
enchanting production of The Nutcracker
returns to Covent Garden from
23 November to 12 January and will be
screened live in cinemas on Thursday
8 December, with encore screenings on
Sunday 11 December.
The Nutcracker follows Clara and
Hans-Peter on an enchanting journey to the
glittering Kingdom of Sweets. Complete
with a magical Christmas tree, memorable
character dances and the dazzling pas de
deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her
Prince, this classical ballet is a theatrical
treat for audiences of all ages.
Continuing the festive theme, this year
The Royal Ballet's production of The
Nutcracker is the inspiration for the
Christmas windows of Liberty. Director of
The Royal Ballet Kevin O' Hare
commented on the collaboration: ‘I’m very
excited that we are working with Liberty to
celebrate Christmas with The Nutcracker.
The opportunity to bring this seasonal
favourite to life in the windows of Liberty
at Christmas through this new partnership
is fantastic, and a wonderful way to share
our work with many more people.’
Meaghan Grace Hinkis as Clara © ROH Photo: Tristram Kenton.
t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g a z i n e • t h i s i s l o n d o n o n l i n e