Messiah

Since its first performance in Dublin on 13th April 1742, Handel‘s Messiah has been one of the indisputable icons of Western music. But do we know this oratorio as well as we think? This work represents a turning point in Handel’s career, when his attention shifted permanently from Italian opera to the English oratorio. Charles Jennens compiled various excerpts from the Bible related to the Saviour, creating a contemplative libretto whose dramatic potential Handel took to a climax. Each one of the ingenious arias, multifaceted choruses and marvellous accompagnato recitatives demonstrates Handel’s pictorial rendering of the text and unfailing expressiveness. Such human emotions as joy, sorrow, pride, remorse, menace, fear, sympathy, tenderness, solidarity and gratitude all make an appearance and in this concert are brought to life by B’Rock and the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, directed by the Dutch conductor Peter Dijkstra.