Brisbane review - Handel’s Messiah: what beauty!

By  Nahima Abraham

Handel’s Messiah

Presented by Brisbane Chamber Choir

Conducted by Graeme Morton

QPAC Concert Hall

South Bank

Tues, December 2^nd, 2025

Run time: 120 mins with interval.

It’s a tale as old as time, perhaps as long in the tooth as Methuselah himself. The story of Jesus Christ is not always a happy one, going from joyous birth to harrowing death, to resurrection. Handel is just one artiste to bring the Son of God’s story to life in art. And what beauty! The Brisbane Chamber Choir, and Student Choir, had the honour of presenting this oratorio at QPAC’s Concert Hall. Helmed by esteemed conductor Graeme Morton, the full-fledged choir and accompanying Brisbane Chamber Players breathed new life into the popular œuvre. The austere ship that is Messiah was guided gently and with pious grace.

From light and airy to thunderous and bold, there is a deep breadth of sound and complexity to something like Messiah. Bonnie de la Hunty (Soprano), Stephanie Dillon (Mezzo), Andrew Goodwin (Tenor), and Shaun Brown (Bass) graced the stage as the leading voices for this work. From Part the First, Comfort ye my People, to Part the Third, Worthy is the Lamb, these imminent vocalists demonstrated deep technical knowledge and beauty, making each performance a work of art. They elevated what stunning music Handel had composed only just 280 years ago.

There had been a pre-show talk prior to the performance which shed splendid light on the inner workings of a chamber choir. Lead by ABC Classic favourite, Ed le Brocq, an intimate chat was held with select members of the Chamber Choir. They reminded us that there are humans behind the vocals, feelings and thoughts behind the show. It was a brilliant way to further the context behind music that was written so long ago, in another time, another place.

The Hallelujah was the showdown of the night, as iconic as it gets. The fact was, it used the full gamut of both choirs, orchestra, and the soloists. To have a full house stand up in solemnity was an impressive sight to all in attendance. Finally, as the late notes of the Amen rang out through the Concert Hall, we all felt as though we too, had run the marathon that was, and always will be, Handel’s Messiah.