The perfect combination of music and drama: Handel’s choral oratorio Israel in Egypt is a firm favourite with choral societies and audiences alike, and definitely not for the fainthearted!

The story starts with a lurid account of the plague and pestilence visited on Egypt - told with some relish by choir and soloists and accompanied by appropriate sounds from the orchestra (listen out for the hopping of frogs and the buzzing of the flies, in particular). This leads to the parting of the Red Sea, the drowning of Pharaoh’s army, and a prolonged period of exultation and rejoicing as the Israelites escape. as the story unfolds, there are no less than twenty-eight massive double choruses for the choir to sing.

Rebecca Lea - soprano
Sarah Ogden - soprano
Sam Penkett - countertenor
Stephen Newlove - tenor
Benjamin Weaver - bass
Matthew Kellett - bass