17 Dec 2025
Following a triumphant debut with the Monteverdi Choir in December 2024, celebrated French baroque specialist Christophe Rousset brought his dramatic flair to Handel’s thrilling, festive oratorio. A stellar cast of soloists joined “the best choir in the world” (Trouw), and brought MCO’s trademark immediacy and drama to Handel’s festive masterpiece for the first time in over three decades.
★★★★★
"thrilling performance marked by ebullience and discipline"
"…it was the chorus that really stood out, with crescendos that sent a whoosh up the spine and a daring emphasis of words for maximum impact. … As Rousset turned to the audience he looked triumphant, as he well deserved to be, for this thrilling alternatively mischievous and lyrical interpretation, that felt – as he intended – as fresh as if it had been written yesterday."
The Arts Desk (London)
★★★★
"The evening’s real glory was in the orchestral playing (all praise to those splendid trumpeters) and the chorus, which was surpassingly vivid…. The performance was revelatory."
The Telegraph (London)
"Incandescent"
Olyrix (Paris)
"But the true star of the evening is undoubtedly the Monteverdi Choir. This choir, which no longer needs to justify its status as one of the finest in the world, proves once again that technique and emotion are not mutually exclusive."
Crescendo Magazine (Paris)
"The intense, fast-flowing account…demonstrated the brilliance of this newly revitalised group"
The Observer (London)
"The Monteverdi Choir...once again confirmed their standing as a true benchmark in the field of early music"
L'Ape musicale (Milan)
"so fluid and light...memorable"
OperaClick (Milan)
This performance replicated the rare version of the Messiah performed at Covent Garden in 1752 - the final Messiah Handel fully directed, and the only time a soprano, contralto, tenor and bass were used as soloists. This format was brought back to life by acclaimed soloists Ana Vieira Leite, Dame Sarah Connolly, Andrew Staples and William Thomas.
Related posts:
© Teatro alla Scala
© Paul Marc Mitchell
© ANSC/Musa
© ANSC/Musa
© Paul Marc Mitchell
© Paul Marc Mitchell
© Paul Marc Mitchell
The London performance at St Martin-in-the-Fields was attended by His Majesty The King.
