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Messiah by George Frideric Handel

Messiah by George Frideric Handel

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About This Event

On 12 December 2026, Red Events presents George Frideric Handel's Messiah at Princess Hall in Cheltenham, bringing the composer's most beloved oratorio to life on period instruments. Conducted by Ralph Allwood MBE DMus, the performance features Gleb Zakharov, Abigail Barker, and the Mystery Ensemble alongside the Brandenburg Baroque Soloists and a professional chamber choir. The programme traces the Nativity, Passion and Redemption through music of irresistible drama and joy, moving from the tenderness of Comfort ye to the blaze of the Hallelujah chorus. This festive occasion offers an atmospheric experience of Handel's masterpiece performed by outstanding soloists within the historic setting of Cheltenham Ladies' College.

In December 2026 Red Events presents George Frideric Handel’s Messiah — the most beloved oratorio ever written — in four magnificent venues across England, performed on period instruments by the Brandenburg Baroque Soloists with a hand-picked professional chamber choir and an outstanding quartet of soloists, conducted by Ralph Allwood MBE DMus.

Composed in just twenty-four days in 1741 and premiered in Dublin the following spring, Messiah has never left the stage since. From the tenderness of «Comfort ye» to the blaze of the «Hallelujah» chorus and the serene certainty of «I know that my Redeemer liveth», Handel’s masterpiece traces the story of the Nativity, Passion and Redemption in music of irresistible drama and joy — the sound of the festive season itself.

Ralph Allwood MBE DMus is one of Britain’s most distinguished choral conductors: for twenty-six years Director of Music at Eton College, founder of the Rodolfus Choir and of the Eton Choral Courses that have shaped generations of British singers. Under his direction, a hand-picked professional chamber choir joins the period instruments of the Brandenburg Baroque Soloists — the London ensemble whose players are drawn from the same pool as the Academy of Ancient Music and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment — under the musical supervision of Brandenburg Artistic Director Bob Porter.

The solo quartet features soprano Josephine Shaw, countertenor Gleb Zakharov and tenor Gareth Davies, with the bass soloist to be announced.

Experience Messiah as Handel’s own audiences did — vivid, intimate and alive — in the festive grandeur of England’s great halls and churches this Christmas.

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Gleb Zakharov (countertenor), Abigail Barker (soprano), Mystery Ensemble

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Frequently asked questions

Messiah by George Frideric Handel takes place on Saturday, 12 December 2026 at 17:00.

Messiah by George Frideric Handel is held at Princess Hall, Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Cheltenham (Bayshill Rd, GL50 3EP).

Gleb Zakharov (countertenor), Abigail Barker (soprano), Mystery Ensemble is performing at Messiah by George Frideric Handel.

Tickets for Messiah by George Frideric Handel can be booked via Skiddle using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.