Handel, Messiah

Sprinkled with Vivaldi-like coloratura, bubbling polyphonic choirs and masterful French-inspired interludes, this London-composed piece illustrates the splendour of the instrumental and choral composition of a period that was later to become known as flamboyant baroque. Laurence Equilbey leads an energetic version, building on the biting sonority of the period
instruments played by her Insula orchestra. “The obvious authority and musical imagination” (Le Monde) of one of France’s greatest conductors promises to make this a version that transcends Handel’s masterpiece while remaining utterly faithful to the work.