HANDEL'S MESSIAH at Melbourne Town Hall 2026

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra present Handel’s Messiah for the world record 247th time since 1853. 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, presented in Melbourne by Australia's oldest surviving performing arts organization. Featuring a superb cast of outstanding Australian soloists, conducted by RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes. 

 

 

“The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra delivered another vibrant and polished reading. Music director Andrew Wailes conducted with precision and infectious energy urging the chamber-sized orchestra and 100-strong choir to some stirring renditions of the big choir pieces including the famous Hallelujah, Glory to God and For unto us a Child is born. Wailes, favouring brisk tempos, made for exciting listening…”  – The Age

 

'Animation and attention to detail were distinctive features of this performance. The forward momentum established in the opening Sinfony never flagged. The RMP Choir sang with scores neatly closed by their sides for several key choruses, alert to the subtleties of dynamics and tempo in Wailes’ direction. And there were plenty of those to keep the audience absorbed as the work assumed an unexpected freshness... This was an experienced choir, trained with painstaking care to form a disciplined ensemble... the final “Amen” chorus was greeted by such a prolonged standing ovation, with cheers and whistles usually heard at sporting events' – Classic Melbourne

 

For more information visit www.rmp.org.au

 

Andrew Wailes, conductor

Amanda Hargreaves, soprano

Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo soprano

Michael Petruccelli, tenor

Jeremy Kleeman, baritone

Stefan Cassomenos, harpsichord and chamber organ 

Andrew Bainbridge chamber and grand organ 

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra

 

For general enquiries please contact tickets@rmp.org.au. 

 

For media enquiries please contact musicdirector@rmp.org.au or call 0433 661 971