As Handel’s best-loved work, Messiah presents a journey through many of the central values associated with the festive season, best represented in the words of the Angel: ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’ With its effervescent choruses, interspersed with both virtuosic and beautifully lyrical arias demonstrating Handel’s unique gift for vocal writing, its humanity still readily communicates with listeners today. With the expert direction of John Butt and the unparalleled dynamic clarity of its singers, Dunedin’s rendition captures the universal hope and sheer joyfulness in Handel’s score.