George Frideric Handel: Messiah HWV 56

9 June 2026

Background

An oratorio composed in 1741, with text from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens.
First performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742.
After Handel's death, Messiah was adapted for performance on a much larger scale, with giant orchestras and choirs numbering up to 800.

Recordings

Messiah (Dublin Version)

Susan Hamilton (soprano), Annie Gill (contralto), Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), Matthew Brook (bass)

Dunedin Consort & Players

Cond. John Butt · Linn

🏆 Gramophone Awards (2007): Winner Baroque Vocal
🏆 Radio 3 (2022): Building a Library Recommended

Messiah

Carolyn Sampson, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Mark Padmore, Christopher Purves

The Sixteen

Cond. Harry Christophers · CORO

🏆 Radio 3 (2009): Building a Library First Choice

Messiah (New Concert Edition by Sir Andrew Davis)

Erin Wall (soprano), Elizabeth DeShong (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Staples (tenor), John Relyea (bass)

Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

Cond. Sir Andrew Davis · Chandos

🏆 BBC Music Magazine (2017): Choral & Song Choice
🏆 Grammy Awards (2017): Nominee Choral Performance

Messiah

Judith Nelson, Emma Kirkby, Carolyn Watkinson, Paul Elliot, David Thomas

The Academy of Ancient Music

Cond. Christopher Hogwood · DECCA

🏆 Presto Greatest Recordings of the 1970s
🏆 Radio 3 (2022): Building a Library Recommended

Messiah

Lucy Crowe (soprano), Alex Potter (countertenor), Michael Spyres (tenor), Matthew Brook (bass)

The English Concert & Choir

Cond. John Nelson · ERATO

🏆 Presto Recording of the Week (2023)
🏆 Opus Klassik Awards (2024): Nominated Choral Recording of the Year

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