Handel: Messiah

The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists have been performing historically-informed Handel for almost 50 years, and are “unbeatable in the performance of this repertoire” (Scherzo). 

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. MCO's patron HM King Charles III was in attendance and experienced the thrilling conclusion of the European tour at our London home of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

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. 

Led by the internationally recognised conductor and Baroque specialist Christophe Rousset, and accompanied by the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists on their authentic period instruments, the audience experienced  Messiah exactly as Handel envisioned it, delivered with world-class precision and excellence.

This was the first in a series of MCO performances which will explore Handel's oratorios.

“When the King attends your performance of the world’s best loved oratorio, you’d better make sure it’s something special. This one certainly hit the heights... the performance was revelatory.”

(The Telegraph, 2025)

"The intense, fast-flowing account…demonstrated the brilliance of this newly revitalised group." 

(The Observer, 2025)

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Photo credits to Paul Marc Mitchell