Sir Neville Marriner conducts this 250th Anniversary performance. Soloists include Sylvia McNair, Anne Sofie Van Otter. The performance is supported by an informative background film "For Ever and Ever", explaining the circumstances behind the compositi

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Musically, this is a better performance than most. von Otter is particularly fine in "He was Despised", and trumpeter Mark Bennett does the best Messiah trumpeting ever recorded, bar none. Many of the choruses are well done, and Chance is good if you like countertenors. Hadley is out of his element. Lloyd and McNair are mid-pack.

Can't comment on the video direction since I haven't seen the video yet. But based on the CD I will get it.

39 of 42 found the following review helpful:

a voice teacher and early music fanMay 21, 2006
By George Peabody "Ariel"
IN HIS MESSIAH HANDEL COMBINES THE SHEER GRANDUER AND POWER OF HIS GERMANIC ROOTS WITH THE COLOR OF HIS ITALIAN EXPERIENCE, JOINING THIS WITH THE UNIQUE FLAVOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. His music can be powerful, like the tenor arioso 'Thou shalt break them...', or it can be colorful and skippy like the wonderful 'For Unto us a Child is born'. Or it can be stirring and majestic like the 'Hallelujah' and 'Amen' choruses.

This famous 1992 performance of Handel's great masterpiece was filmed at the Point Theatre, Dublin on the 250th anniversary of the work's premiere, which took place in Dublin on April 13, 1712.

The English passion for oratorio is largely due to Handel. Every year from 1738 to 1751, he produced at least one. "The Messiah" is THE MODERN ORATORIO,not only because the custom of rising and stretching in the seventh inning when the "Hallelujah Chorus" is sung, but because its magnificent choruses, soaring arias and orchestral accompaniment are truly thrilling. Handel's oratorios,more dramatic than any previously written, were like operas, save that they were given without scenery and costumes.

This entire production is quite excellent as one would expect from Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy and Chorus of St.Martin in the Fields. But what made this performance better then many I have heard was Marriner's choice of soloists. Michael Chance was absolutely superb in his presentation with his usual rich tone quality and excellent diction that is characteristic of all his work. McNair and von Otter were outstanding in every way as per usual. Jerry Hadley handled everything reasonably well, but he was somewhat out of his league in this genre. To my mind, his voice is much more at home singing 'broadway'; I do have a few records of him singing in that genre, and he sounds very comfortable doing so. I was annoyed by the bass voice of Robert Lloyd who had a "muddy" tone-quality and strange sounding diction. Since Handel chose to use castrati singers for many of his roles, both in operas and oratorios, my wish (and this is purely personal) is to hear a countertenor singing ALL of the alto solos in this work, and I finally got my wish with the 2005 recording from Maulbronn Monastery 'live' with Jurgen Budday directing.

This is a well-done DVD. The viewing is good for all the soloists and good close-ups are included of the orchestra and chorus. There is an introductory film included called 'For Ever and Ever' briefly telling the story of 'The Messiah', and a truly excellent accompanying booklet with all the information you would need to further enjoy the DVD.

13 of 14 found the following review helpful:

DisappointingFeb 18, 2008
By Teemacs
Nev Marriner and the ASMF can usually be relied upon to produce a sparkling performance, and they and the ASMF Chorus do, in this Dublin performance to celebrate the first performance (in a long-disppeared venue in Fishamble Street). In particular, Mark Bennett, the trumpeter, playing a modern piccolo trumpet, produces the best trumpet part in "The trumpet shall sound" that I've ever heard, naturally far better than Valentine Snow could have played it with his natural trumpet.

So what's the problem? The tenor and bass soloists, that's what. Both are major disappointments. Especially with note runs of the "And I will sha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-(etc.)-ke". The notes are not clearly enunciated and just plain tuneless. It spoiled the whole thing for me.

For a really top DVD version of "Messiah", seek out the ABC (as in Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Shop, which is selling a an absolute knockout Downunder version as a CD/DVD package. I expected a Region 4 DVD (I have a code-free player), but the DVD appears code-free. The bass Teddy Tahu Rhodes is especially good (there are clips on YouTube).

17 of 20 found the following review helpful:

Fine Messiah PerformanceNov 28, 2006
By rodboomboom
Sir Neville and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Orchestra and Choir put forth a fine performance celebrating 250 years of the Messiah.

The orchestra plays with passion and pace is great throughout.

Soloists are most adequate, but highlighted for this reviewer by exceptional efforts by Soprano McNair and Tenor Hadley.

The extra feature of professor discussing various historical issues regarding Handel and Messiah is nice addition to have.

9 of 10 found the following review helpful:

OUTSTANDING AND SUPERB PERFORMANCEJun 19, 2007
By Joel Ramirez Chanona
This is the best performance of Handel's Messiah I've ever listen and seen. Part of the excellent performance is due to the coordination of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields chorus and orchestra, they know very well each other.Soloist are good, specially Mr. Loyd the bass. Takes of the cameras are well done and selectively , alternating the orchestra, solosit and chorus at the just precise moment.I strongly recommend you to buy it. It is a must to have in your collection.

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