Over several years, this partnership has gradually drawn closer to the essence of the work—as much as this is possible. The Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir performs the work with a much smaller ensemble than is often seen—according to sources, there were only 32 singers in the choir at the first performance in Dublin in April 1742. During Handel’s lifetime, the work was performed in different versions, depending on the circumstances and experiences with the initial performances. It is therefore almost impossible to know what the “authentic” performance of Messiah might have been. One must let the music speak.
