Handel's Messiah, The Barbican

Seeing Handel's Messiah at Christmastime is more than a tradition, it's a necessity. This year, Les Arts Florissants and an impressive international cast of singers and musicians take on the classical favourite.

William Christie and his ensemble are no strangers to Messiah, their 1993 recording was enchanting, and though it might be two and a half decades later, his vision of the choral canonical classic has only grown more mature and captivating.

The eminent Baroque composer's inimitable oratorio of 1741, with its sacred scriptural lyrics compiled by Charles Jennens, is a firm favourite with orchestras during the festive season. Despite initially causing controversy when it was first performed in the eighteenth century due to it's conflation of opera and liturgy, the oratorio has enjoyed increasing popularity over the centuries, and can be heard in concert venues throughout London this festive season.