One of the world's finest early music ensembles joins us in a performance of:
"As Mr. Handel in his oratorios greatly excells all other Composers I am acquainted
with, So in the famous one, called The Messiah he seems to have excell'd himself...It
seems to be a Species of Musick different from any other, and this is particularly
remarkable of it."
Bishop of Elphin (1742)
The vocal soloists are among the most gifted of their generation and between them have an impressive record of achievement: a winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Competition, roles at Glyndebourne and concerts and recordings with some the most prestigious ensembles in the world. London Baroque is such an ensemble, with a record of acclaimed performances all over Europe, including appearances at the Salzburg and Berlin Festivals and at the Paris Opera, and a score of highly successful CD recordings to its name.
In recent times the original vivid colours and sweeping dramatic pace of Handel's masterpiece have been spectacularly restored. Stylish performances given by small, technically accomplished choirs, orchestras of period instruments and soloists skilled in baroque ornamentation now enable us to experience afresh an excitement similar to that felt by audiences in Handel's lifetime.
