G. F. Händel: Messias

Once again this year, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir presents Handel's wonderful and timeless classic "Messiah" in collaboration with the outstanding English ensemble, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and four exceptional international soloists.

For Mogens Dahl, the Chamber Choir, and the English elite orchestra, this has been a process over several years, where the participants have gradually drawn closer to each other and perhaps also to the essence of the work—as much as this is possible.

The choice of the top-tier ensemble, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, was obvious, as this English orchestra has, since its inception in 1986, maintained a particular curiosity about approaching music in different and more open ways. Hence the name, which the orchestra adopted because they share the Enlightenment's persistent drive to explore and discover.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performs on period instruments that match the era in which the works were composed, which is a significant way of striving for a more authentic expression.

This is complemented by the Chamber Choir, which sings with a much smaller ensemble than is often seen—according to sources, there were only 32 singers in the choir at the first performance in Dublin in April 1742.

Already during Handel's lifetime, the work was performed in different versions, depending on the circumstances and experiences with the initial performances. It is therefore almost impossible to know what the "authentic" performance of "Messiah" might have been. One must let the music speak—and that is exactly what Mogens Dahl, the Chamber Choir, and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment do. Here, hopefully, one experiences an expression close to an authentic "Messiah."

Performers:
Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Conductor: Mogens Dahl

Soloists:
Soprano: Julia Doyle
Alto: Keyleigh Decker
Tenor: Robin Tritschler
Bass: Morgan Pearse