ST BARTHOLOMEW'S Church is a superb setting for Handel's uplifting Messiah.

This most durable Christmas hit -- now 256 years old -- resounded around Westhoughton's lofty parish church.

Even a musical numbskull like myself could not fail to be moved by the all-round quality of the performance.

That is surely the most enduring legacy of Messiah, that it can enchant those who infrequently listen to classical music.

The choir of 11 women and nine men combined in perfect harmony.

At the interval I overheard someone saying the choir was well balanced for so few numbers and I feel I agree, it was a very even performance.

With Handel's liking for chopping up the various parts of the choir, timing is all important.

It could be easy to become untidy, with four parts of the choir singing off each other but it was very clean and crisp.

Jane Hyde, from Burnley, and Helen Francis, who trained at the Birmingham School of Music, took the female soloist parts, both had distinct singing styles but were both equally angelic of voice.

Martin Roach, from Middleton, and Bolton's own Alan Roscoe, took the male solos and they gave powerful performances.

The Brixi Sinfonia chamber choir led by Bill Webb, which is based at Rivington, was outstanding.

It is encouraging to see so many youngsters playing musical instruments, never mind playing so well.

The Messiah is enchanting in parts and quite exhilarating in others.

It was so powerful that one lady from the audience had to be taken out for air during the Hallelujah chorus.

Fortunately she seemed to have recovered.

The beauty of Messiah is that it can really raise the spirit in this age of Christmas present buying frenzy. Matthew Taylor

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