Messiah (HWV 56) is the celebrated oratorio by Georg Frideric Handel, composed in 1741 and first performed on 13 April 1742 in Dublin - originally conceived as an Easter work, not a Christmas one. The libretto, drawn from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Handel's friend Charles Jennens, unfolds in three parts: Old Testament prophecy, the life and death of Christ, and the Resurrection leading to Judgement Day. After a lukewarm initial reception in London, the work grew into the most frequently performed oratorio in Western music. The Hallelujah Chorus, which closes Part II, gave rise to the tradition of audiences standing - a custom said to date from King George II rising to his feet at the London premiere.
The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands performs the Messiah at nine locations throughout the Netherlands, from the Grote Kerk in Elburg to the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, in the period December 2026 to March 2027.
Pieter Jan Leusink conducted The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands in performances of the Messiah at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam on 17, 21 and 22 May 2026.
The Bach Choir & Orchestra of the Netherlands performed the Messiah on 7 December 2025 and 24 December 2025 at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, with soloists Olga Zinovieva, Clint van der Linde, Martinus Leusink and Thilo Dahlmann.
The Dutch Handel Society performs the Messiah every year at the Concertgebouw and at the Grote Kerk in Naarden - a tradition that has been continued uninterrupted since its founding in 1946.
Hans Lamers conducts the NASKA Orchestra and soloists in a performance of Handel's 'Messiah' in Veenendaal.
Boi Akih presents an idiosyncratic contemporary interpretation of Handel's Messiah featuring vocals, seven-string guitar, kora and viola.
A duo-ticket for a performance of Messiah at the Zeeuwse Concertzaal in Middelburg.
Handel's classical oratorio 'Messiah' at Concertgebouw De Vereeniging in Nijmegen.
Handel's Messiah performed by the Dutch Baroque Orchestra on authentic instruments with the Dutch Baroque Vocal Consort and soloists. Conductor Gerard de Wit makes his stage debut with his newly acquired Kroesbergen harpsichord.
Bach Collegium Japan performs Handel's Messiah, a baroque masterpiece of vocal music, at De Oosterpoort.