Brush up your Handel

’Tis the season to be jolly — in spite of the gloom outside and the torrents of rain.

’Tis the season to be jolly — in spite of the gloom outside and the torrents of rain. But how do you banish the winter ghouls, put on a mask of good cheer and go forth beaming into the pre-Christmas crowds? Radio Three has come up with a possible help-all, by launching its Sing Hallelujah! campaign just as the days shorten into dreary half-light. So far the station has signed up almost 350 amateur choirs nationwide who at some time between now and Christmas will be performing Handel’s exhilarating chorus from Messiah. It’s the culmination of the year-long celebration of the composer’s music, marking 250 years since his death in 1759. On Christmas Day there’ll be a broadcast of ENO’s controversial operatic production of the oratorio (see review page 57). So get practising all ye at home who need cheering up, and brush up your Handel.