Carmela Konrad, Sopran
David Erler, Altus
Nathan Haller, Tenor
José Coca Loza, Bass

Chor und Orchester des Bach Collegium Zürich

Leitung: Bernhard Hunziker

Handel wrote the work in late summer 1741 for a concert invitation in Dublin, where it was first performed in 1742. It is remarkable that Handel completed the Messiah in just 24 days of composition time. The work was a smashing success in Dublin and tradition has it that King George II was so moved upon hearing the Hallelujah that he jumped to his feet, prompting many more listeners to do the same and giving rise to the tradition in Anglo-Saxon countries of stand or even sing along to this part of the piece!