The Handel and Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra is a classical music ensemble that specializes in performing music from the Baroque and Classical periods on period instruments. The ensemble was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1815, making it one of the oldest continuously performing classical music organizations in the United States. The Handel and Haydn Society was founded by a group of Boston musicians who were inspired by the music of George Frideric Handel and Franz Joseph Haydn. The society's first concert was held on Christmas Day in 1815, and it quickly became a popular cultural institution in Boston. The society's early performances were held in churches and other public spaces, and they often featured large choral works by Handel and other composers. Over the years, the Handel and Haydn Society has evolved and expanded its repertoire to include music from a wide range of composers and periods. However, the society has always maintained a strong commitment to performing music on period instruments, which are instruments that are either original to the time period in which the music was composed or are replicas of those instruments. The Handel and Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra is made up of some of the finest period instrument players in the world. The ensemble's current music director is Harry Christophers, who has been with the society since 2008. Christophers is a renowned conductor and choral director who has worked with many of the world's leading orchestras and choirs. One of the highlights of the Handel and Haydn Society's history was its performance of Handel's Messiah in 1854. This performance was the first time that the work had been performed in the United States on period instruments, and it was a major milestone in the society's history. The performance was so successful that the society went on to perform Messiah every year for the next 50 years. Another major highlight of the Handel and Haydn Society's history was its performance at the opening of Boston's Symphony Hall in 1900. The society performed a program of music by Handel, Haydn, and other composers, and the performance was widely praised for its beauty and precision. In recent years, the Handel and Haydn Society has continued to be a major force in the classical music world. The ensemble has performed at some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, including Carnegie Hall in New York and the Royal Albert Hall in London. The society has also won numerous awards and accolades for its performances and recordings, including several Grammy nominations. One of the society's most notable recent achievements was its performance of Mozart's Requiem in 2014. This performance was particularly significant because it was the first time that the society had performed the work on period instruments. The performance was widely praised for its clarity and authenticity, and it was hailed as a major achievement for the society. Overall, the Handel and Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra is a remarkable ensemble that has played a major role in the history of classical music in the United States. With its commitment to performing music on period instruments and its dedication to excellence in performance, the society has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the world's leading classical music organizations.

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