Messiah in One Hour

Hearing Handel’s Messiah performed by choir, orchestra and four vocal soloists is a powerful experience. It is Handel’s most famous work, filled with exquisite arias and magnificent choruses – not least the iconic Hallelujah chorus.

At this “After Work Messiah”, we hear Part I of the work, along with the Hallelujah chorus. This is Messiah in the version reworked by Mozart, based on Handel’s original. Mozart expanded the orchestration and made a number of minor adjustments according to his own taste and the ideals of his time. He added trombones, horns, flutes and clarinets – in addition to Handel’s oboes, bassoon and trumpets.

The result is colourful, surprising and grand. Today, Handel’s original version is usually performed, which makes it all the more special to experience Mozart’s interpretation of this iconic masterpiece.

Originally intended for Easter, Messiah was first performed at a charity concert in Dublin on 13 April 1742. It was a huge success, and Handel continued to present the work annually in support of London’s children’s hospital until his death in 1759.