Bristol Old Vic's MESSIAH to Stream Exclusively on Apple Music this Easter Weekend

Bristol Old Vic is excited to announce that this Easter weekend, four short films recorded during Messiah's triumphant return to the theatre will be available to stream exclusively on Apple Music.

Filmed live at Bristol Old Vic, the thrilling performances can now be watched for the first time by audiences worldwide, made available exclusively to Apple Music subscribers.

Tracks including Behold The Lamb of God, All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray, How Beautiful Are The Feet of Them and the glorious Hallelujah! will be available to watch exclusively at applemusic.com/easter2017 from Friday 14 April.

The four-night run saw a different actor perform each night as the "Beloved" in Bristol Old Vic and The English Concert's immersive staged performance. As seen on the downloadable clips, renowned actor Jamie Beddard was surrounded by the brilliance of Europe's greatest Baroque orchestra, The English Concert, world-class soloists Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Julia Doyle, Joshua Ellicott and Brindley Sherratt, and the thrilling Erebus Ensemble. All under the baton of Harry Bicket in a production directed by Tom Morris.

Emma Stenning, Bristol Old Vic Chief Executive said: "Bristol Proms is all about making classical music accessible for everyone, and this weekend it takes a huge step forwards with the support of our friends at Apple Music. Making these short films available for streaming is a brilliant way for us to continue to share the extraordinary work of The English Concert, the Erebus Ensemble, and our terrific soloists, actors and creatives. It's a little bit of Bristol Proms, available for you, wherever you are."

Returning to Bristol Old Vic following an experimental sell-out debut at Bristol Proms 2013, this powerfully dramatised performance was described as "notably fresh", "immersive and soaring" and "an experience like no other".

Moving on to further UK dates next year, this production explored new ways of presenting classical music, opening it up to new interpretation and new audiences with on-stage seating, projection, powerful dramatisation and the famous Bristol Proms rules - allowing Handel's greatest work to fizz with accessibility once again.

For more information on Apple Music or to start your free three month trial, please visit: apple.co.uk/music.

Photo by Jon Rowley