Handel: Messiah - Davis [2CD]

Handel: Messiah

Margaret Price, soprano
Hanna Schwarz, alto
Stuart Burrows, tenor
Simon Estes, bass

Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Colin Davis

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Colin Davis recorded Handel's 'Messiah' twice for Philips - in the 1960s with an English cast and then in the 1980s with British soprano and tenor soloists, a German alto and an American bass, not to mention a German orchestra and chorus. It's a warm and voluble reading and was for a short while available on 3CDs at full price. It is now restored to the catalogue at budget price on 2CDs, not a moment too soon and is bound to join the pantheon of great 'Messiahs' currently available on CD.