Handel Israel in Egypt

Encounter frogs, locusts, tidal waves and much more as Chester Bach Singers return to Chester Cathedral to perform Handel’s exciting and vivid piece Israel in Egypt. This work is always one of the choral singer’s favourites because the choir is the star of the show. The story is about the Israelites escaping from captivity in Egypt (it’s what happened after Joseph’s technicolour dreamcoat was long gone!), with a little help from plagues of insects and other catastrophes visited on the Egyptians to persuade them to let the Israelites go – and the choir is the Israelites. Eventually, the escaping Israelites escape across the Red Sea, pursued by the Egyptians, who are sucked under a vast tidal wave. All this is depicted in exciting, often fast music by one of the greatest opera composer – no long, complicated arias here! Chester Bach Singers will be joined by regular partners, the 18th century orchestra under the baton of Martin Bussey. Join us on a helter-skelter journey (about the only thing Handel didn’t put in!).