Welcome to the choir members’ area!
You can now get down to work. Here you’ll find all the information you need to learn about the work.
Also think about planning your weekend, booking your visits (program to come) or requesting accommodation.
We will sing Handel’s Messiah, in English.
Composed by Georg Friedrich Handel in 23 days, and nights – plagued by a creative fever after having been faced with paralysis of the right side that prevented him from writing, and created in Dublin in 1742 for Easter, this oratorio is now traditionally played during the period of Advent— preceding Christmas.
According to Handel’s wish, an orphanage, the Foundling Hospital received the proceeds from the performances. When he died, he left to this foundation the copyright to the oratorio.
Messiah is the last musical work that Handel attended.
Experienced singers or beginners, you are asked to know the score BEFORE the weekend. Learning requires a real investment, regardless of your level. Your involvement serves the quality of the concert of course, it is also a mark of respect towards the choristers near you.
You will need to get Handel’s Messiah Novello version in English. This very popular version is readily available in music bookstores.
NB: If you already own another edition, be sure to reproduce on it the chorus, page and bar numbers as they appear in the Novello version. There is a discrepancy from one edition to the next. Anticipating this will save time and concentration during rehearsals.
We have a partnership with Arioso (music scores dealer) open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm
45, rue de Rome, 75008 Paris
contact@arioso.fr or 01 44 70 91 68
If you say you’re going to sing with Venite Cantemus, you get a preferential rate of
-14% (€14.50 instead of €16.50),
-20% off (€13.20 instead of €15.50) if you order 20 scores.
Postage included for orders of €50 or more.
The choruses to be studied:
PART 1
N°4. And the glory of the Lord
N°7. And he shall purify
N°9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
N°12. For unto us a child is born
N°17. Glory to God
N°21. His yoke is easy
PART 2
N°22. Behold the Lamb of God
N°24. Surely he hath borne our griefs
N°25. And with his stripes we are healed
N°26. All we like sheep have gone astray
N°28. He trusted in God
N°39. Their sound is gone out
N°41. Let us break their bonds asunder
N°44. Hallelujah
PART 3
N°46. Since by man came death
N°53 -Worthy is the lamb+AMEN-
Watch out there is a cut: we do not sing from the 3rd beat of bar 39 to 3rd beat of bar 53.
WORK YOUR PARTITION
With audio or video files:
+ online audios – Cyberbass (played voice, possibility of slowing down the tempo)
+ online videos – on Youtube (e.g. Chord Perfect Soprano Alto Tenor Bass)
+ Learning CDs
for example the series Chorsingen leicht gemaght (SATB), Peters Music Partner edition (singing)
+ Work apps, our favourite is the CARUS MUSIC app for tablets and smartphones, which offers the possibility of slowing down the tempo.
Are you ready to sing without looking down at your score? You’re ready! Eyes only on Gildas, the boss (worth it, right?).
Practice together: nothing like it to test your mastery of the score.
We recommend that you practice with other choristers. Several options:
You are looking for rehearsals
Get in touch with other participants close to you geographically:
– organise practises together
– join an existing choir near you
Ask us to put you in touch with singers living near you via ticket registration form, contact Anne or contact the Facebook group.
In Paris, Versailles, Orléans and Strasbourg, weekly rehearsals will be held at our partners’ premises (many thanks to Ville de Paris and 1 Letter 1 Smile 😃) from the beginning of February.
Registration required and subject to availability. For full details and to register:
You are organizing rehearsals
Are you part of a choir that practices? Great! Can you accommodate isolated choristers? You’re going to make some people happy, let us know via the registration form, on the Facebook group or by contacting Anne.
“GRANDES RÉPÉTITIONS” IN PARIS.
The concert is fast approaching, the half term rehearsals are here. As for each previous edition, two free rehearsals by Gildas Harnois, the conductor of the concert, are open to the singers. A great opportunity to look back on our work and…meet new (or known) friendly singers.
Free of charge upon registration at Institut Pasteur (205, rue de Vaugirard, 75015) on Monday May 18 and Wednesday June 10 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Registration is required before May 4. For full details and to register:
Two intermediate rehearsals will take place in Paris in May and June.
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive details when the time comes.
HOW DO I ORGANIZE PRACTICE?
All you need is a place, a piano -and a pianist -, a choirmaster, and don’t forget a little word of warning for the neighbours, and get started!
We suggest you use the Facebook group Venite Cantemus to make your initiatives visible.
Share your preparations on social networks, identify yourselves, use the #venitecantemus or send us your photos and videos so we can share them.
