Festival celebrates work of Handel

A festival celebrating the works of the composer George Frideric Handel will open in Dublin today.

A performance of Handel’s Messiah will be staged in the capital to mark the world premiere of his most famous piece in the capital in 1742.

The free concert on Fishamble Street in Temple Bar will also honour the 250th anniversary of George Frideric Handel’s death.

The performance, with Our Lady’s Choral Society and the National Sinfonia, will be conducted by Prionnsias O Duinn.

Dublin Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne will officially launch the week long Handel Festival, organised by the Temple Bar Cultural Trust.

Events to mark the life and times of Handel include the traditional choir performances of 'Messiah' in Christchurch Cathedral and the Dublin String Quartet performing Handel, Bach and Vivaldi at an outdoor market on Saturday.