December 24
SUNTORY HALL CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2023
Bach Collegium Japan “MESSIAH” since 2001
With Paid Live Stream and On Demand
Celebrate Christmas with Handel's Beloved Masterpiece
Suntory Hall is pleased to present George Frideric Handel’s seasonal masterpiece, Messiah, on December 24, 2023, performed by eminent Baroque specialist Masaaki Suzuki and Bach Collegium Japan. Their annual performance has become the hall's tradition since 2001. The delightful vocal solos, splendid choruses, and colourful instrumental writing make this oratorio the highlight of the Christmas season.
【CHANGE OF CONDUCTOR】
Due to health reasons, conductor Masaaki Suzuki will not be able to appear at the following concert. He will be replaced by Masato Suzuki, Principal Conductor of the Bach Collegium Japan. Please note that tickets will not be refunded.
▼Details & Booking ▼Live Stream & On Demand
▼Maestro Suzuki talks about Handel's Messiah ▼VIDEO: Bach Collegium Japan “MESSIAH” 2021
■Date & Time
Sunday, December 24 2023 16:00 (Doors open 15:20)
Approx running time: 190 mins (incl. 1 intermission)
■Performers
Conductor: Masato Suzuki
Chorus & Orchestra: Bach Collegium Japan
Soprano: Eri Sawae
Alto (Counter Tenor): Clint van der Linde
Tenor: Seil Kim
Bass: Paul Max Tipton
■Live Concert > Book Now
S ¥11,000 A ¥9,000 B ¥7,000 P¥5,000 Student ¥1,000
Booking opens: Friday, September 22, 2023 10:00
■S-seat with Dinner — Special Collaboration with The Okura Tokyo 【SOLD OUT】
¥30,000 (tax/service incl)
- Venue: Orchard, The Okura Tokyo (The Okura Prestige Tower, 2F)
- Timetable: 19:30- Concert ends Admittance into Orchard / 20:00-21:30 Dinner
- Enquiry / Booking:
Booking opens on Friday, September 22, 10:00
Suntory Hall Ticket Center (Phone and Box Office): 0570-55-0017 [Domestic Calls only] / +81-(0)3-3584-4402 (10:00-18:00, except the days Suntory Hall is closed)
The Okura Tokyo: +81-(0)3-3224-7688 (Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00, except national holidays)
■Live Stream & On Demand
¥2,500
Booking opens: Friday, December 1, 2023 10:00 > Book Now
Live Stream: Sunday, December 24 2023 16:00- (JST)
On Demand: Monday, December 25, 2023 16:00 - Saturday, December 30, 2023 23:00 (JST)
Presented by Suntory Hall
Masaaki Suzuki talks about Handel's Messiah
Handel’s Messiah, a work that tells the story of the life of Christ, resonates especially at Christmas when we celebrate the birth of the Saviour.
“You will hear beautiful voices, and in many scenes you will feel comfort . You will enjoy the sound of the chorus and the voices of the four soloists. With instrumental accompaniment, some pieces are meditative, some are brilliant, and there is also a relaxed simplicity – the work has so many expressions” explains Masaaki Suzuki.
He is the director of Bach Collegium Japan (BCJ), an orchestra and chorus made up of players specialising in period instruments. Their performance of the complete Messiah at Suntory Hall is a popular event during the Christmas season.
“In Britain and America, Messiah is a seasonal fixture, but I am pleased that so many people in Japan attend our performance. I think it’s significant that we perform the work every year.”
For many people, it’s not Christmas without Messiah.
The work opens with the solo tenor singing “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God,” and subsequently it tells the story of Christ’s birth, crucifixion, and resurrection, including the joyous “Hallelujah Chorus”. The organ and cello support the solo voices warmly, and the trumpet sets the festive mood. Suzuki wants to bring out the sound that the composer envisaged by performing on instruments that were used the eighteenth century, and above all wants to serve the music.
“The music will give comfort and solace, and it will also lift people’s spirits. I’m sure the music will resonate with each person in different ways. It is full of joyous energy and a fitting work for these times. We are grateful that we can perform this work despite the pandemic.”
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December 24 2021