Handel's Day: Next Wednesday is Handel's Day, as on April 13th, 1742 Handel's Messiahpremiered on Fishamble Street in Dublin's Temple Bar and every year there's a day-long celebration on the streets to mark the occasion. It includes an open air performance of the Messiahthat is so well attended it's becoming something of an institution.
Increasingly children are being encouraged to become involved. This year at 3pm, there's a Global Hallelujahin Meeting House Square which will be performed by pupils from Belgrove Senior Girls School, Clontarf, Scoil Áine, Raheny, and Harold's Cross National School conducted by Alan Leech, a tenor with the National Chamber Choir. No booking is required, just come along.
In what’s been billed as “Handel for Children” and starting at noon in front of Smock Alley Theatre, West Essex Street, pupils from Harold’s Cross National School, the Tullamore Classical String School and guest vocalists will perform a modern take on some of Handel’s most popular music. Aoise O’Dwyer is the conductor.
There are several other events that older teenagers might enjoy that take place in the evening – a performance of Handel's Alexander's Feastin the Button Factory and an open air screening in Meeting House Square at 9pm of Stanley Kubrick's 18th century romp The Luck of Barry Lyndonabout the rise and fall of an Irish adventurer in the British aristocracy.
* Events are free but some require prebooking by e-mail to info@templebar.ie or phone 01-6772255
