Handel's Messiah in aid of the Institut Pasteur

On November 19, the "La Girafe lyrique" association held the third edition of its "Venite Cantemus" initiative at the Opéra Comique in Paris, where more than 500 singers came to perform en masse at a concert in aid of the Institut Pasteur.

This event was based on the tradition in English-speaking countries of "Scratch Messiah" concerts, in which singers pay a small fee for the opportunity to get together and sing Handel's Messiah while raising money for charity.

Keen singers at the Institut Pasteur were invited to join this massed choir, and a number of rehearsals were also organized ahead of the concert to help those with less experience get to grips with the score!

Several Pasteurians took part in the concert last Sunday as part of the 525-strong choir, and some 1,200 people came along to support the Institut Pasteur's research. This unique experience was certainly a world away from the lab!

A look back at the event in pictures :