WELLINGTON Choral Society is performing Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on Saturday, March 24, at St John’s Church, Wellington.

Tickets are available from Odette’s Tearoom, TicketSource and on the door.

A retiring collection will be held in aid of the Somerset Trust for Arts and Recreation (STAR), a charity which provides opportunities to the most disadvantaged young people aged five-25 through music, art and recreation.

DID YOU KNOW?

Messiah’s premiere took place on April 13, 1742, at Neal’s Musick Hall, Dublin.

Handel’s portion of the proceeds went to two Dublin hospitals and a debtor’s prison.

It was written in 24 days in 1741 using text provided by the librettist, Charles Jennens.

The London premiere in 1743 scandalised the public with its sacred subject being performed in a theatre.

It only became popular after the 1750 charitable performance in aid of the London Foundling Hospital.

A 2010 YouTube flash-mob version of the Hallelujah Chorus has had more than 51million hits.

An 1859 performance at Crystal Palace was filled with 2,500 singers and an audience of 20,000.