Handel's Messiah, St John's Smith Square

We love Messiah so much these days, and seek out performances at Easter and Christmas in particular, that it is hard to imagine a time when it was out of fashion.

Yet it was the 19th-century composer Mendelssohn, the great symphonist and composer of one of the most-loved violin concertos in the repertoire, who re-introduced the listening public to the music of his 18th-century fellow German, an adopted Londoner. The result was an orchestration that was big and bold and dramatic, and which is still used today.

But many music-makers, with access now to historically informed instruments, favour getting back to Handel's original intentions. Their performances use smaller forces, but without losing any of the narrative drive. Indeed, so fleet-of-foot are these more authentic ensembles that they can make the unfolding story of Christ's nativity, mission, death and resurrection more dramatic than ever.

The Orchestra of St John's and Chorus will be retelling the tale with the help of soloists including soprano Eline Vandenheede, counter-tenor Tai Oney, tenor John Findon, and baritone Christian Valle, all under the distinguished conductor John Lubbock.

Tickets are sure to sell fast. Click here for Culture Whisper's guide to Messiah.