Handel’s evergreen oratorio, presented for Holy Week.

Without naming a single character, Messiah vividly foretells and recounts the birth, death and resurrection of Christ in the words of prophets, psalmists, eyewitnesses, and apostles.

Charles Jennens’ libretto skilfully interweaves texts from the Old and New Testaments, deploying powerful imagery to take the audience on a journey from darkness to light. With a plethora of moving arias and magnificent choruses, Handel’s superb score raises the text’s visionary quality to new heights.

From ‘He was despised’ and ‘He shall feed his flock’ to ‘Behold the Lamb of God’ and the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus, Messiah is an undisputed masterpiece.

Hear this most beloved of sacred works afresh in Holy Week, performed live with period instruments creating the orchestral sound Handel himself would have heard.

The great journey from darkness to light is sung by the City of London Choir and soloists Hilary Cronin, Alasdair Austin, Harry Gant and Daniel D’Souza, with period orchestra, The Hanover Band. Daniel Hyde conducts.