River City Voices ‘Slam Messiah’

River City Voices in partnership with WestWords presents Handel’s Messiah, as you’ve never seen or heard it before, creating a groundbreaking Australian premiere when a choral Christmas tradition meets a beloved Western Sydney art form.

New work by three slam poets will interweave with Handel’s inspired music and Charles Jennens’ epic text to create western Sydney’s very own Slam Messiah.

Handel’s Messiah originated from a complex tapestry of politics, belief, and social justice; its story has spanned centuries and people. In this concert, dynamic young slam poets will share its universal message with modern audiences through their interpretive lens. Whether this is your first Messiah or your fiftieth, this is a chance to see what fresh message you might take home as our performers share the music in a new way.

Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sarah Penicka-Smith, who has conducted Messiah many times, hopes this performance will allow those who’ve never heard it to experience the drama of the work which also explores the idea that a saviour is accessible to all kind and doesn’t always wear a cape and a halo.

This 75-minute performance, conducted by acclaimed musician and socially engaged artist, Sarah Penicka-Smith, features the internationally renowned Australian baritone Warwick Fyfe, soprano Sarah Cherlin, tenor Joshua Oxley, poets J. Marahuyo, Paris Rosemont and Alasdair David Carter, alongside the energised Slam Messiah Chamber Ensemble and powerful River City Voices singers.

Tickets