CANCELLED: Messiah

Handel’s »Messiah« is a work of legends and superlatives. Stefan Zweig declared its composition to be a »great moment for mankind«, while theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher saw the work as a »compendious proclamation of the entirety of Christianity«. And King George II is said to have been so moved by the »Hallelujah« that he jumped to his feet; since then, it has been a custom in Britain to stand up for the Hallelujah chorus. The libretto to the »Messiah«, compiled from the scriptures and planned by Charles Jennens as »good entertainment«, inspired the composer to write his most popular work, and Handel set to music the story of the Redeemer from Christmas to the Resurrection in a true frenzy of creativity.

With Holland Baroque, Klaas Stok has invited an ensemble to the Elbphilharmonie whose approach is very much in keeping with his own: they are open to the combination of Baroque with the present day, as is clear from their motto »Baroque is here and now«.