The official website of Visit Ards and North Down
En

Merry Opera: Handel's Messiah

The Portico of Ards, Portaferry, Portaferry, County Down, BT22 1LE
The Merry Opera Company Handel's Messiah

About

A staged production of Handel's Messiah by the Merry Opera Company, featuring professional Northern Irish musicians.

Twelve singers play characters who experience transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope as they sing this traditional work.

About the show

In this unusual production of Handel's Messiah the church as a setting is key. The twelve professional singers play characters from everyday life who find themselves in this sacred place. They do not know each other and they have their own reasons for being there but each is in search of something — consolation, affirmation, forgiveness, direction. Some of them carry the concept of a Messiah in their hearts; some lack that and may feel an absence; some are not religious at all. As they sing through this traditional work, they engage with each other and themselves, ultimately experiencing the transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope.

This production was created in the UK in 2011 by the Merry Opera Company. It has been brought back by request almost every year since. Audiences report that it gives Handel's Messiah 'new meaning', 'new invigoration'. For this year's tour, half the professional cast and the organist are Northern Irish musicians.

The MOC is grateful to Ulster Touring Opera and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for financial support.

This production at Portico is supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • All areas accessible to disabled visitors

Event Facilities

  • Booking Required

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Ticket£25.00 per ticket
Concession£15.00 per ticket

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Book Tickets Online

Add Merry Opera: Handel's Messiah to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel02842728808

Check availability for Merry Opera: Handel's Messiah (opens in a new window)

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Season (7 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
Saturday19:15 - 21:30

What's Nearby

  1. Portaferry Castle is a 16th Century tower-house, built by the Savage family. It is…

    0.13 miles away
  2. Enjoy a diver's view of marine life from around the world without getting wet. An…

    0.15 miles away
  3. Situated on the hill south east of the town below the stump of Portaferry Windmill, a lay…

    0.32 miles away
  1. These ruined churches are situated one and a half miles north east of Portaferry on the…

    1.41 miles away
  2. The church at St Cooey’s Wells is thought to date from the 7th century but only the…

    2.78 miles away
  3. Owned by the National Trust, it is a picturesque 18th century fishing village with scenic…

    3.41 miles away
  4. Within it are the ruins of a medieval church which is believed to be the Church of…

    3.75 miles away
  5. Ballyquintin Nature Reserve includes Ballyquintin Point at the tip of the Ards Peninsula,…

    3.77 miles away
  6. On the coast, two thirds of a mile south east of Cloughey village. This house appears to…

    3.94 miles away
  7. Traditionally believed to have been built by Roland Savage of Ballygalget in 1622,…

    5.39 miles away
  8. Discover how Echlinville Distillery captures the flavour, colour and mouthfeel of their…

    6.24 miles away
  9. The Livingston Centre at Killinchy Parish Church is a local heritage centre. It tells the…

    8.28 miles away
  10. Sketrick Castle is located on Sketrick Island which is reached by a causeway on the west…

    8.48 miles away
  11. Burr Point, the most easterly point on the island.

    8.65 miles away
  12. Nendrum is thought to have been set up by St Machaoi in the 5th Century and also has…

    9.08 miles away
  13. This ruined Tower House commands a position at the north end of Mahee Island in…

    9.27 miles away
Previous Next

Related

The Portico of Ards, exteriorThe Portico of Ards, PortaferryBuilt in 1841, this beautiful Greek-style church hosts concerts and houses heritage displays. Guided tours include the organ loft and a chance to play on the spectacular restored pipe organ. To book a tour or see what's on visit porticoards.com

Map & Directions

View Maps and Visitor Guides
View of what Ards and North Down has to offer and some of the best things to see and do during a visit.
E-newsletter sign up
Sign up for the Ards and North Down newsletter for inspiration and travel tips.
Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss