A Christmastide performance of Handel’s Messiah has become established in people’s affections as one strand in the seasonal celebrations.

Certainly Ripon Cathedral was well filled for this performance by the Ripon Choral Society conducted by John Dunford. If the singers and the accompanying Orchestra d’Amici players have this work in their bones, there was no sense of routine or going through the motions.

Dunford works his charges hard – only occasionally pushing them beyond the possibility of clarity through some very rapid tempo choices. However, the choral attack was splendid, assured and focused, with every section of the choir showing full commitment.

It was easy to appreciate this, given that the accompanying band was small and played neatly, thus the choral sound could ride above it with ease. The four soloists were accomplished and fully involved in the action. Anna Burford (mezzo) and D’Arcy Bleiker (bass) favoured a full-voiced, operatic approach that highlighted the drama effectively.

Burford’s He was despised held the audience rapt, while Bleiker’s Why do the nations? suited his dark-hued tones perfectly. Tenor Robert Anthony Gardiner delivered his arias with clear diction and the sort of true timbre found increasingly rarely in this voice-type.

But it was the soprano Sarah Power who made the deepest impression. She possesses an easeful, limpid voice that made How beautiful are the feet utterly memorable.

In the end it is the chorus that make or break Messiah. Ripon Choral Society has had a busy term with a Last Night of the Proms, a Haydn and Pekhonen double bill and Messiah. It is to the great credit of the singers and their persuasive conductor that this evening marked a triumphant climax to and culmination of their efforts.

The society's next concert will be held on Saturday, March 19, in the cathedral, featuring music by Elgar and Finzi.

Alasdair Jamieson