Royal Melbourne Philharmonic
20 November 2025
Sunday December 7th will see the acclaimed Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra under Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes perform Handel’s iconic oratorio Messiah in Melbourne Town Hall for the world record 246th time since 1853. This remarkable achievement, un unbroken annual sequence of performances of the world’s most-loved oratorio, will also mark the 42nd Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Concert in Melbourne. Unlike most presentations, this will be a complete performance of Handel’s masterpiece, featuring all the arias, recitatives and choruses, and the full orchestral forces the Baroque master composed for.
Messiah is famous for its sparkling arias, powerful choruses, and surging climaxes (including the magnificent Hallelujah Chorus, and the equally thrilling Amen Chorus which concludes the work). Featuring over 120 talented musicians from the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, as well as the grand Town Hall organ, and a magnificent cast of outstanding Australian and International soloists, this concert promises to thrill as ever under the skilled direction of Andrew Wailes – widely regarded as one of Australia’s foremost exponents of this great work.
Wailes has assembled a stellar cast of Australian and international soloists for this performance: the distinguished Australian soprano Sara Macliver headlines a stellar quartet. Macliver will be joined by fellow Perth-based mezzo soprano Fiona Campbell, Adelaide-based American tenor Kyle Stegall, and Sydney-based bass baritone David Greco. Supporting them will be leading keyboard experts Stefan Cassomenos (playing harpsichord and chamber organ) and Andrew Bainbridge (who will play on both chamber organ and the Melbourne Town Hall’s magnificent grand organ).
The RMP’s annual performance of this masterpiece is a much-anticipated highlight of Melbourne’s concert calendar. Don’t miss being part of this wonderful musical tradition on Sunday 7 December at 5pm in Melbourne Town Hall.
Tickets are also selling fast for The RMP’s much-loved performances of Carols in the Cathedral – on Friday 19 December at 8.30pm and Saturday 20 December at 7pm in St Paul’s Cathedral. Massed Choirs, thrilling brass fanfares, children’s voices, organ, orchestra and gospel readings all feature, along with this year’s guest soloist the internationally-celebrated soprano Helena Dix. Hurry, as these concerts always sell out early!
Tickets are now on sale via the RMP website: www.rmp.org.au
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