The RTÉ Concert Orchestra has been cherished by Irish audiences throughout its 60-year history, whether performing with international stars such as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kanawa and Russell Watson or with leading Irish artists ranging from Cara O'Sullivan and Virginia Kerr to Altan and Declan O'Rourke. In February 2009 the RTÉ CO performed Handel's Messiah in the presence of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI with their Lady's Choral Society in the Vatican.