ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien / Alsop

George Frideric Handel’s »Messiah« has been one of the most popular and most frequently performed choral works – since its premiere in 1742, not least because of the popular »Hallelujah!«-chorus. 250 years later, in 1992, Marin Alsop had the idea of giving the oratorio a modern interpretation. For the resulting participatory project »Too Hot To Handel«, the arrangers Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson incorporated elements of gospel, jazz, rock and funk into Handel’s music. »›Too Hot To Handel‹ is a magnificent story that engages the audience. ›The performance becomes an active listening experience‹«, says Marin Alsop of the rousing arrangement. In December 2024, the Konzerthaus audience was able to experience the »Messiah« in its new musical guise for the first time. The reaction: everyone tapping their feet to the beat and frenetic applause! Now the »Gospel Messiah« returns to the Great Hall!
​