G.F. Händel Messias

Once again this year, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir presents exquisite performances of Handel’s seemingly indestructible classic Messiah, in collaboration with the outstanding British ensemble, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and a lineup of international soloists.

For Mogens Dahl and his Chamber Choir, performing Messiah has, over the years, become a journey — a process of gradually drawing closer to the essence of the work.

The choice of the renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment was a natural one. Since its founding in 1986, this British orchestra has been driven by a curiosity to approach music in new and more open ways. Their name reflects this spirit, inspired by the Enlightenment’s relentless desire to question, explore, and discover.

The orchestra performs on period instruments, closely matching those used at the time the works were composed—an essential step toward achieving a more authentic sound.

This approach is mirrored by the Chamber Choir, which performs with a far smaller ensemble than is often heard today. Historical sources suggest that just 32 singers took part in the original Dublin performance in April 1742.

Even in Handel’s own lifetime, Messiah was performed in a variety of versions, shaped by circumstances and experience. As such, it is nearly impossible to know precisely what a performance would have sounded like in Handel’s day. One must let the music speak — and with this performance, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment come as close as possible to an authentic Messiah.

PERFORMERS

International soloists

Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Conductor: Mogens Dahl