René Jacobs is masterful leading a stellar cast of soloists, the RIAS- Kammerchor and the Akademie für Alte Musik in a spectacular production of Handel s oratorio Belshazzar. Written in 1745, Belshazzar stands with Messiah as one of Handel s finest efforts in the genre. Based on a libretto by Charles Jennens, the story, from the book of Daniel, recounts the fall of Babylon at the hands of the Persian prince Cyrus who brought Belshazzar s tyrannical reign to an end an eternally relevant story with significant current resonance. Featured soloists include countertenor Bejun Mehta, a rising star in the world s opera houses and concert halls.