Posted 12 February 2009
UCD Choral Scholars' Artistic Director contributes to performance of Handel's Messiah at 80th celebrations of Vatican City State
As part of a special concert for Pope Benedict to celebrate 80 years of the Vatican City State, Handel's Messiah was performed at the Vatican. Desmond Earley, the Artistic Director of the UCD Choral Scholars was the organist for the performance given by 'Our Lady's Choral Society, a choir of the Archdiocese of Dublin. More than 6,000 people attended the concert. The Messiah was first performed at the Old Music Hall on Fishamble Street, Dublin, in April 1742.
Desmond Earley is a graduate of University College Dublin where he completed a BA and BMus. He undertook organ studies with Peter Sweeney at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama. He previously studied organ keyboard techniques and score reduction to the keyboard with Charles Pearson, and pianoforte with Eoin Garrett. Desmond was awarded the UCD Organ Scholarship in 1997. He has played continuo in a number of ensembles including The Ruschetta Ensemble (London) and The Earley Musik Ensemble (founded by him to accompany the UCD Choral Scholars at their first concert). Desmond has played harpsichord, organ and piano with ensembles such as the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the National Sinfonia.
