Handel's Messiah, St Martin's Church, Salisbury - The Farrant Singers and Chamber Ensemble.

MESSIAH concerts don't come much better than this.

The dynamic Colin Howard conducted a performance that was intimate and blazing.

Composed 264 years ago in just 21 days of fervent inspiration, Handel's music has, for certain, inspired us ever since.

Certainly St Martin's Church is a wonderful venue, spiritually and acoustically.

The large audience was moved and gave a standing ovation.

Agility, clarity and intense responses to the text were foremost, and the rarity of a wonderful overview of Handel's genius by virtue of a performance of the complete work.

The bright-eyed Farrant Singers shaped all their phrases, adding lilt, articulation and urgency. Everything well prepared, with the Farrants prepared to give everything.

How did they manage to assemble such a fine orchestra, led with exceptional skill by Magnus Johnston? Just seven players - the magnificent seven, sensitive to the needs of the soloists and then strongly supportive in the loud sections.

The four eloquent soloists added many effortless delights and insights. Fiona Clarke (soprano) brought stylish ornamentation in "He shall feed His flock" and proclaimed her living redeemer with a natural grace and radiant sweet tone.

Andrew Stewart (counter-tenor) was poised and brightly focussed, particularly in an austere and unfussy performance of "He was despised".

Matthew Beale, an authoritative tenor with an impressive dynamic range, illuminated every word and phrase with great distinction, while Charles Hetherington (bass) was in fine form, adding dark-hued gravity to "For behold, darkness", and thrilling sonority to "The Trumpet shall sound".

The final glory of the evening was the addition of the four soloists' voices in the last bars of the Amen Chorus. Superb.