As a steady favourite with audiences, Handel's most famous oratorio "Messiah" has met regularly with rapturous receptions ever since its premiere back in 1742! This three-part masterpiece portrays the life of the "anointed one" (the literal meaning of the Hebrew word 'Messiah'), from the Annunciation and his birth to his death on the cross and revelation, and contains a considerable number of baroque super-hits - including the world-famous 'Hallelujah Chorus.'
What makes the present complete recording into something really special is, above all, the successful interpretation with its excellent line-up of performers: Julia Doyle, Lawrence Zazzo, Steve Davislim and Neal Davies, the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks (recently called "a new center for historically informed performance practice") under the overall direction of Peter Dijkstra, accompanied by B'Rock, the Belgian Baroque Orchestra Ghent.

“a performance that is never less than stylish and, perhaps most importantly, heartfelt...[Davies and Zazzo] opt for visceral theatricality in their delivery of text, Zazzo tiring somewhat in the process. Soprano Julia Doyle sings with sweetness and candour, decorating 'I know that my Redeemer liveth' vivaciously.” BBC Music Magazine