Penrith

Messiah at the Joan

This afternoon we attended the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre at Penrith to hear Handel's Messiah performed by the combined choirs of the Academy, Warrimoo Chorale and Penrith City Choir accompanied by the Penrith Symphony Orchestra.  I have sung with this combined choir a few times, so it was a bitter-sweet event for me as I would have loved to have been up there with the choir singing, with them, this wonderful oratorio.  As soon as the orchestra started up on the familiar music of the introduction, I was overcome with emotion.  This caught me by surprise as I was not expecting it to have such an effect on me.

However, after choking back tears, I was content to sit back and listen to the wonderful choruses that I know so well.  I was singing them in my head!

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, affectionately known as "the Joan". It is the heart of creative Western Sydney - a place where the community can experience art and culture, fine music, drama, dance and song.  We are so lucky to have this wonderful venue here in Penrith.








After the performance, I caught up with some of my friends from the choir.  It was so nice to have a chat with them and, once again, feel the excitement and satisfaction  of that "after show" feeling of a job well done.