Tenebrae vocal ensemble
Sir Colin Davis, director

In this 2006 live performance, Sir Colin Davis returned to the work he had first recorded in 1966. That recording started a change in how Messiah performed: from the big full-orchestra recordings with hundreds of singers, to a chamber orchestra performance with quicker tempi and a lighter touch. This stirring new account is sure to set a standard for years to come.

“A performance of shapely energy, with exemplary choral singing from Tenebrae, whose boast of ‘precision and passion’ could not be more apt. To have Mark Padmore among the soloists was a luxury ... He brought particular intensity to ‘Thy rebuke hath broke his heart.’ Susan Gritton, soprano, showed beatific simplicity in ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth.’ Alto Sara Mingardo and bass Alastair Miles each had moments to cherish.” - The Evening Standard (UK)

The package includes three discs: two SACD hybrid discs, which includes 2-channel and 5.1 channel layers.  These two discs will also play in a standard CD player.  As a bonus, there is a DVD of the performance with both stereo and surround sound tracks, featuring popular movements of the work.