This is an edited version of an essay which appears in the programme for a performance of Messiah at the Helix, Dublin tomorrow at 8pm by Enchiriadis Treis and Enchiriadis Youth choirs, with conductor Marion Doherty and soloists Sadhbh Dennehy (soprano), Edel O'Brien (alto), David Revels (tenor) and Gavan Ring (bass).

Messiah is also being performed by the Culwick Choral Society at St Patrick's Cathedral on December 6th and 7th at 8pm. The Irish Baroque Orchestra and the choir Resurgam will present a period instrument performance of the work at the same venue on December 13th at 7.30pm.

To mark the end of the Mozart 250th anniversary year, both RTÉ Music and Our Lady's Choral Society are planning performances of Messiah using the orchestration devised by Mozart in 1789. The RTÉ Philharmonic Choir and RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra will perform at the National Concert Hall on December 8th at 8pm. OLCS will present three performances, also at the NCH, on December 13th, 14th and 15th at 8pm.