Harpsichordist and conductor as well as founder and artistic director of the Grammy-winnning Baroque ensemble Apollo’s Fire, Jeannette Sorrell has early-music cred to burn. Who better to spark Handel’s immortal Messiah to flaming new life as we cruise into the holidays? The soloists are Amanda Forsythe, soprano; Nicholas Phan, tenor; Kevin Deas, bass; and John Holiday, professor and countertenor, who made up for classical gigs lost to the pandemic with a stint on The Voice, shepherded by John Legend and ending up in fifth place. Sorrell’s own vocal ensemble Apollo’s Singers dispatches the glorious choruses. Hallelujah! —M.G.