BBC Proms: Handel's Messiah – 'Rejoice greatly'

Trinidadian soprano Jeanine De Bique joins Chineke! to perform 'Rejoice greatly' from Messiah by Handel.

[LorraineStanton]

When I first hear how fast they were playing this, I was really concerned and did not think anyone could humanly keep up. Well she did it.. and flawlessly. Each note is crisp and distinct. Simply incredible!!!

[playerintheorchestra]

I know it’s fast: I was on stage, in the orchestra.
If I’m honest, I was shocked when we first rehearsed, but you know what? - it was electric; it was IN the moment; it was fun.
To top it off, she’s an INCREDIBLE singer, and it was a real pleasure to work with Kevin Edusei.

I’m incredibly proud of this performance - not just because I think it was “good, ” but also because we had a conductor who would ACTUALLY take the risk of a fast tempo; we had a singer who COULD take the risk; we had a collection of fellow musicians to boldly go on that journey with them.

Rather than thinking of it as “good, “bad, “right, ” “wrong, ” how about thinking of it as it is - an approach different to the norm that, regardless as whether one likes it or not, elicits a response.

[chrisjackets]

What a stunning voice! Jeanine’s expression and the clarity of her intonation is phenomenal. What I cannot understand is why I have not heard of her before today!

[lockjiang]

Her execution of those 16 note runs are impeccable and clear, even top sopranos wobble in those passages

[tamika-diandra]

Jeanine and I went to the same secondary school and she is part of the reason why I am pursuing a career in Classical music! I first heard her in 2005 when my school participated in a choral competition in Austria! She had already graduated but she came back to do a soprano solo. It was so beautiful! She's such an amazing singer ^_^

[karennoske]

I was crying faster than she was singing at one point. I adore The Messiah and have rarely heard such a beautiful rendition. I sent it to all the ladies in my Bible study small group since we're studying the passage in Isaiah "His name shall be called...the Prince of Peace." I can't wait for them to experience it! Thanks for sharing this, BBC!!! Brava, Jeanine!

[richardtaylor]

I love Jeanine! Wonderful singer and person. She’s from Trinidad and Tobago and we’re proud of her! I listen to this performance repeatedly. I don’t need to comment on her virtuoso performance. It speaks for itself....

[mechar]

Beautiful and graceful. Voice of an angel. I love her expressiveness.

[TheSunlitLeaf]

My whole family is in awe. Those perfectly clear and steady long E sounds, the energy and passion of the delivery, the gorgeous tone of her voice... All I can say is, move over Renee!

[catherineluk]

range: soprano
form: ABA (ternary)
key: Bb major
tempo: allegro
ts: 4/4

0:00 A section - violins introduce an energetic figure in Bb major
word painting: melismatic passage on “rejoice”

1:19 B section - sudden modulation to G minor (relative to Bb major)
orchestra plays steady 8th notes

2:43 A section is de capo aria, the singer freely elaborates and decorated with ornamentation
returns in Bb major

[jermainejr]

So many people of color!
Such exquisite artistry in the singing!
Such outstanding and superb players!
Such art! Such beauty! Such perfection!

[luisa]

I LOVE her interpretation, her voice, everything

[chuckcissel]

With blinding speed and agility, this dynamic artist/vocalist blew the socks off Rejoice. Her tone and the quality of her voice is rich beyond measure. What a pleasure to listen to her sing. Let's hope we hear much more of her brilliance. Brava my sister. Loved looking at the orchestra members behind her marvel at her as she sang - they were pleasantly captured by her stunning virtuosity.

[Ettenyljioni]

The drama, the passion, the unsurpassed artistry that Jeanine de Bique brings to Handel's "Rejoice" is without comparison to anyone that has sung it before. She will be remembered for centuries as one of the greatest singers that ever graced humanity with her exquisitely unique virtuosity and talent💫🌟🌟🌟!

[michaelmiller]

Unbelievable! A glorious dramatic coloratura! Perfect control of the melismas, amazingly intricate ornamentation! I never heard this aria at quite this Allegro Molto tempo before, but it suited the Soprano's artistry perfectly.

[stefendavid]

An absolutely wonderful performance. It was a wonderful decision for it to be performed faster than most singers can manage. With her extreme virtuosity and confident control of her instrument, singing it at this speed shows off her voice for the blessing it is. Stunning preformance.

[sophie-wfkg]

Woah that tempo is fast!! She absolutely nailed it

[betenoireindustries]

oh, oh. so beautiful, i have tears streaming down my face. twenty years i've sung the messiah, and i'll never be anything like this sumptuous and exquisite.

[BlackAdder]

The emotions in her voice and on her face! I fell in love immediately!

[luispuig]

The voice of this century is now here. Absolutely and undeniably the best I've heard. Congratulations Miss Jeanine, and I look forward to hearing more of you and hopefully see you perform.