Been to a number of performances at Dorchester Abbey and they've been great - however Handel's 'Messiah' last night left something to be desired to the extent I've zero desire to return to any of the performances listed for 2024. Paid £25/ticket many many months ago to arrive and find folks had spread themselves out and taken up any and all available space in the middle section. My husband and I ended up having to take a seat in the £15 seats one row from the back door, over 25 rows further back in the Abbey. As a result, the sound wash from the front was an awful jumble by the time it had ricocheted to where we were. Added to that was the shrill, off-pitch trumpet fanfare directly behind us during the end of the first part of this oratoria, which not only took me by complete surprise but was also painful on the ear as well as it drowning out any chorus sang out from the massed Choir at the front of the Abbey. Loved the tenor and bass guest soloists during the event but other than that, a very non-descript performance not helped by the OSJ administration overselling tickets in the more expensive sections than that which the Abbey has capacity for, leaving people out of pocket and in awful seats at the back. I hate leaving negative reviews but as I have attended much better performances from this collective, I know they can do much better than last night.

When the music is gracious