Handel - Messiah
Handel - Messiah

Movie spotlight

Handel - Messiah

2010
Movie
154 min
English

To mark the 250th anniversary of Handel's death, Vienna's Theater an der Wien realized a truly extraordinary project: the staging of Messiah, the composer's most popular oratorio. Collaborating with an exquisite cast of singers, Claus Guth, one of today's highly renowned stage directors, delivered 'an emotionally and psychologically charged sequence of images. . . The audience was thrilled' (Suddeutsche Zeitung).

Insights

Director: Greg SmithGenres: Classical Music, Concert Film, Oratorio

Plot Summary

This 2010 production of George Frideric Handel's iconic oratorio, 'Messiah,' features a stellar cast of soloists and the estimable Dunedin Consort, led by conductor John Butt. Filmed in the historic surroundings of St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney, the performance captures the grandeur and spiritual depth of Handel's masterpiece. The narrative follows the life of Jesus Christ, from prophecy and his birth to his crucifixion and resurrection.

Critical Reception

The 2010 recording of Handel's Messiah by the Dunedin Consort, directed by John Butt, received widespread critical acclaim for its fresh, historically informed approach. Reviewers lauded the ensemble's clarity, vibrancy, and emotional resonance, highlighting the performances of the soloists and the period-instrument playing as particularly effective. It is considered a benchmark recording for its balance of scholarly rigor and engaging musicality.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its vibrant, period-instrument performance.

  • Noted for its exceptional clarity and emotional depth.

  • Celebrated for the accomplished soloists and conductor's interpretation.

Google audience: N/A

Fun Fact

The 2010 recording was made in St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney, chosen for its unique acoustic properties and evocative atmosphere, adding a distinct sense of place to the performance.

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