Choirmaster extraordinaire Gareth Malone is back on BBC One, and this time, he’s tackling one of the most iconic works in classical music: Handel’s Messiah. In “Gareth Malone’s Messiah,” Malone takes on the Herculean task of coaching eight amateur singers to perform this choral masterpiece alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Chorus of Wales at Cardiff’s Llandaff Cathedral.
The series premiere takes us behind the scenes as Malone, along with vocal coach Jane Samuel, sifts through a mountain of audition tapes, searching for those hidden gems of vocal talent. We meet the chosen eight – Foo Seng, Nia, Harry, Rosie, Aaron, Ami-Louise, Naomi, and Richard – each with their own unique story and personal connection to music.
For some, it’s a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream. For others, like Naomi, who is living with secondary breast cancer, and Richard, who recently lost his wife, the performance takes on a deeper, more poignant meaning. With only six weeks to prepare, the pressure is on. Can Malone work his magic and transform these ordinary individuals into a choir capable of taking on Handel’s monumental work?
“Gareth Malone’s Messiah” premieres this Friday, April 18th at 10:45 AM on BBC One. The performance is to benefit BBC Children in Need.
