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Handel’s "Messiah", in the Santa Maria del Mar church

Performances by the l'Empordà Chamber Orchestra and the Puig Reig Choir can be seen on the 18th, 19th and 20th of December

For three nights running, the Santa Maria del Mar basilica will play host to the much-celebrated Messiah, by George Frederic Handel. The exceptional nature of the venue, a jewel of religious Gothic architecture, will be enhanced by the level of the interpreters, the Puig Reig Polyphonic Choir and the l'Empordà Chamber Orchestra.

Handel composed the Messiah during the summer of 1741 and since then it has become one of the most celebrated of all his works, in particular the “Hallelujah” chorus. While the original idea was for the piece to be interpreted during Easter, it has become common to hear it during the Christmas period, often during popular concerts, providing the audience with the opportunity to participate in the celebrated chorus.

The Puig Reig Polyphonic Choir was founded in 1968 and, since then, has performed throughout Catalonia and on numerous occasions abroad. In 1993 it was awarded the Sant Jordi Cross. The l'Empordà Chamber Orchestra was founded twenty-four years ago in Figueras and is the only stable professional string orchestra in Catalonia.

Publication date: Wednesday, 11 December 2013
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