El Mesías
Bach Collegium San Diego, Ruben Valenzuela
Release Date: December 11, 2026
El Mesías is a reflection of Messiah’s history of dynamic, ever-evolving performances. Even after the premiere of his Dublin version in 1742, Handel continued tailoring his score to suit the circumstances available to him. In the same spirit, we are offering the first complete Spanish-language recording of Messiah, both as a gift to those for whom Spanish is a native language, and as an occasion to rediscover this iconic oratorio in a new light and perspective.
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ABOUT THE ARTIST
Founded in 2003 by Artistic Director Ruben Valenzuela, Bach Collegium San Diego is one of the premier early music ensembles in the United States, recognized for its vibrant, historically informed performances and innovative programming. The ensemble made its European debut at the Paulinum during Bachfest Leipzig 2024 and performed at historic sites throughout Thuringia, Germany. BCSD is exploring touring El Mesías in the Americas and abroad, with plans to return to Bachfest Leipzig in 2027.
Ruben Valenzuela is the Founder and Artistic Director of Bach Collegium San Diego (BCSD). As a conductor and keyboardist he has led BCSD in notable performances of music of the Renaissance, early and high Baroque, early Classical period, as well as music of the twentieth century. Valenzuela's performances have been described as ‘dramatic’ and ‘vibrant’ and ‘able to unlock the true power of Baroque music’ (SanDiegoStory.com). Under Valenzuela’s leadership, BCSD has achieved international acclaim through virtuosic performances of iconic repertoire, in addition to lesser-known works. Valenzuela and BCSD were the recipients of Early Music America's 2023 Laurette Goldberg Award for achievement in early music engagement. Additionally, Valenzuela was awarded the 2020 Louis Botto Award for Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal by Chorus America.
With BCSD he has toured to the Festival Internacional del Órgano Barroco in Mexico City, and to the Festival Internacional de Música Renacentista y Barroca Misiones de Chiquito in Bolivia. Recently, he led BCSD and the Pauliner Barockensemble in a noteworthy performance at Bachfest 2024 (Leipzig Germany), with additional performances in Arnstadt and Naumburg. Valenzuela is regularly called upon as a guest director and keyboardist. Notable guest engagements include Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity, New York City, Marsh Chapel Choir and Collegium at Boston University, Bach at Emmanuel Church, Boston, Juilliard415 at Lincoln Center, New York City, Washington Bach Consort, Westminster Choir College with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, and Seraphic Fire. Upcoming engagements include Handel+Haydn Society, Philharmonia Baroque, Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity, New York City, and the Academia de Música Antigua (UNAM), Mexico City.
Valenzuela's musical interests are wide ranging to include a lifelong interest in Jamaican popular music of the late 1950s and 1960s, and in particular Blue Beat (Jamaican R&B), Ska, Rocksteady, and early Reggay. He is member of the Kingston Beat All-Stars, a Los Angeles based band which performs the music of Jamaica's musical golden age. Valenzuela holds a PhD in Musicology from Claremont Graduate University.