Irish Baroque Orchestra Revives Handel's Messiah with Historic Precision
Every year, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and their conductor Peter Whelan bring Handel's Messiah back to Dublin, the city of its 1742 premiere. This tradition honors the oratorio's origins, and their latest recording marks a significant milestone as the first period-instrument version by an Irish ensemble. The performance aims to recreate the exact sound heard at the Fishamble Street music hall, where the debut was such a hot-ticket event that audience members were asked to forgo hoops in skirts and leave swords at home to avoid overcrowding.
A Fleet-Footed and Agile Performance
Conductor Peter Whelan, a former bassoonist with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and soon-to-be music director of San Francisco's Philharmonia Baroque, leads a finely judged and agile period-instrument performance. With only 13 singers in the choir, including all vocal soloists, the singing is light and precise, creating an almost gossipy texture in places. This intimate setup allows for a dynamic and expressive rendition that captures the essence of Handel's original vision.
Notable Soloists and Historic Adaptations
The recording features standout soloists who bring depth to the performance. Helen Charlston, with her firm, slightly metallic, and unflaggingly expressive voice, takes on a substantial share of arias, including those originally sung by the scandal-hit contralto Susannah Cibber. Alexander Chance shines in a buoyant voice, performing a less familiar duet-and-chorus version of How Beautiful Are the Feet, written for Dublin cathedral countertenors, as well as arias later adapted for Handel's star castrato in London. Hilary Cronin's sweet-sounding soprano also stands out among the solo voices, adding to the recording's vocal richness.
Setting a New Standard in Baroque Music
This recording not only pays homage to Messiah's Dublin roots but also positions Peter Whelan as one of the new leading names in baroque music. By focusing on historical accuracy and period instruments, the Irish Baroque Orchestra delivers a performance that is both authentic and innovative. The ensemble's commitment to recreating the 1742 premiere offers listeners a unique glimpse into Handel's world, making this album a must-listen for classical music enthusiasts and historians alike.
The artwork for Messiah by the Irish Baroque Orchestra complements this historic endeavor, encapsulating the spirit of the era. As Whelan prepares to take on his new role in San Francisco, this recording solidifies his reputation for excellence in baroque interpretation, ensuring that Handel's masterpiece continues to resonate with modern audiences through its original lens.
