DESCRIPTION:
Superb mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly sings: "He was Despised" from Part II of "The Messiah" by George Frederic Handel.

"He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
(Isaiah 53 : 3)
He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
(Isaiah 50 : 6)"

Extract from a performance of "The Messiah" given in Westminster Abbey, London, on 14 April 2009.

This performance, which was conducted by the Abbey's Organist and Master of Choristers James O'Donnell, took place on the day of the 250th anniversary of the composer's death and in the place where he is buried.

The Abbey Choir was joined by the period-instrument orchestra St. James's Baroque, and soloists Ailish Tynan, Sarah Connolly, Paul Agnew and Jonathan Lemalu.