The Newcastle Upon Tyne Bach Choir performed George Frederic Handel's oratorio 'Deborah’ [HWV 51] in the King's Hall at Newcastle University on Saturday 16th of November 2016. Eric Cross conducted the choir and the orchestra: Newcastle Baroque. We were joined by excellent soloists: Charlotte La Thrope (Soprano - Deborah), Ruth Jenkins-Róbertsson (Soprano - Jael), Rosanna Cooper (Mezzo-Soprano - Sisera), James Laing (Counter-Tenor - Barak) and Ross Ramgobin (Baritone - Abinoam & Chief Priest of Baal).

The King’s Hall at Newcastle University is a magnificent, newly-refurbished venue. It has an excellent acoustic even with a large audience present.

The conductor, Eric Cross, had decided to replace the overture of ‘Deborah’ with the ‘Suite in D Major’ from the 'Occasional Oratorio' [HWV 62]. This made for an exciting opening to the concert. The rest of ‘Deborah’ continued from the chorus: ‘Immortal Lord of Earth and Skies’. The piece had one main interval and a short interval between parts II and III.

The trumpet section consisted of Russell Gilmour, Adam Wood and George Parnaby. I last performed this piece at the Göttingen Handel Festival in May 2015 and I found this piece to be just as good as I remembered.

Thanks to all in Newcastle for an enjoyable concert and for their kind hospitality.