Handel’s Messiah at the Barbican by Händel, Fra (2022/2022), Dirigent Laurence Cummings, Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom

A seasonal performance of Handel’s great choral retelling of the life of Christ Laurence Cummings and the Academy of Ancient Music join a truly world-class team of soloists for a seasonal performance of Handel’s Messiah. Hallelujah! Handel’s Messiah isn’t just a British Christmas fixture – it’s a landmark of European culture, performed annually at this time of year in a tradition dating back to the 18th century. With Laurence Cummings at the harpsichord, plus a cast headed by the outstanding American soprano Amanda Forsythe, it’ll come up as fresh as new paint. But then of course, you might say that the AAM has history with Messiah: back in 1980 we were the first orchestra ever to record it, complete, on period instruments. More than four decades on from that landmark achievement, it’s become normal to hear Handel’s great choral retelling of the life of Christ played in an historically-informed style. But Messiah always has something new to say – and we’re always thrilled to share it. There will be a free pre-concert talk at 6.00pm.