Handel - Messiah - Oxford Baroque - Southampton

6 April 2019, 18:30

I performed first trumpet in Handel’s Messiah with Oxford Baroque on Saturday 6th April 2019. The performance took place in the Dobson Art Centre in King Edward VI School in Southampton.

Oxford Baroque provided a period instrument orchestra to accompany the Southampton Choral Society. The performance was directed by their conductor Benjamin Costello. During the rehearsal, Benjamin kindly remarked that the trumpets and timpani seemed to encourage the singers and helped to lift the performance.

Will Russell (2nd trumpet) and I got changed in a room full of table tennis tables, so we had an enjoyable pre-concert rally in full white tie and tails, while we waited to play Glory to God from the corridor approaching the main hall.

I really enjoyed playing The Trumpet Shall Sound, which segued into Worthy is the Lamb and the Amen. It was a very enjoyable performance in a packed-out (thankfully not too hot) hall. Thanks to all involved!

Russell Gilmour

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