G.F. Handel: Messiah (1982): cast, story & where to watch

Released in 1982, G.F. Handel: Messiah is a notable film directed by Roy Tipping, running about 136 minutes.

What it’s about. In Handel's day this best-loved of all oratorios was performed by fewer than forty instrumentalists and a chorus, less than thirty strong, of boy trebles and men. That is the tradition to which Christopher Hogwood has returned in his performances with the Academy of Ancient Music. Members of the Academy all play instruments of the period or accurate modern copies. In this recording the choruses are sung by boy trebles and male altos, tenors and basses, members of the Choir of Westminster Abbey. The soloists improvise embellishments in the arias and, in certain cases, join in the singing of the choruses, just as they would have done 240 years ago. The recording takes full advantage not only of Westminster Abbey's fine acoustic qualities, but also of the incomparable architectural splendor of the surroundings.

Who’s in it. G.F. Handel: Messiah stars Christopher Hogwood as Conductor, Judith Nelson as Soprano 1, Emma Kirkby as Soprano 2 and Carolyn Watkinson as Contralto, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 3.5/10, G.F. Handel: Messiah has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch G.F. Handel: Messiah page.