Georg Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759)
Le Messie, HWV 56 (Der Messias), oratorio en 3 parties (Version de Florence, 1768)

Eleonora Bellocci, soprano
Margherita Maria Sala, contralto
Jeffrey Francis, ténor
Luigi De Donato, basse
Coro Maghini
Claudio Chiavazza, direction
Innsburcker Festwochenorchester
Alessandro De Marchi, direction

When Georg Friedrich Handel's Messiah first premiered on the European continent, 24 years had passed since its debut. On August 6, 1768, Il Messia brought "il caro Sassone" (the dear Saxon) back posthumously to the land of his early triumphs. Before the memorable performance in Florence's Palazzo Pitti could take place, the content had to be adapted to Catholic doctrines and the expansive form to national customs. Abate Antonio Pillori achieved this in collaboration with tenor and composer Salvatore Pazzaglia. The result was incredible: their Messia is so well-abridged and singable in Italian that the compact form, recorded two years ago at the Innsbruck Festival, could be considered an authentic version that Handel himself might have produced if needed.