Record

Performance TitleChristmas with the Royal Choral Society
Performance Date9 December 2020
Performance DayWednesday
Performance Time19:30
Main PerformersBen Bevan - vocal
Orchestra or BandRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO)
ChoirsRoyal Choral Society
ConductorsRichard Cooke
Set List'God Save the Queen' (The National Anthem), trad., arr. Jacob,
'Sussex Carol', trad., arr. Willcocks,
'Once in Royal David's City', Gauntlett, arr. Willcocks,
'The Lord at First', trad., arr. Cooke,
'Benedicamus Domino', Warlock,
'Gabriel's Message', trad., arr. Cooke,
'Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day', Gardner,
'Mary Had a Baby', trad., arr. Sargent,
'O Come, O Come, Emmanuel', arr. Cooke,
'Fantasia On Christmas Carols', R Vaughan Williams,
'O Come All Ye Faithful', trad., arr. Willcocks
INTERVAL
'Coppelia Waltz', Delibes,
'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen', trad., arr. Willcocks,
'Otche Nash', Rachmaninov,
'The Three Kings', Cornelius, arr. Campbell, Cooke,
'I Wonder As I Wander', Rutti,
'Maria Wallt Zum Heiligtum', Eccard, arr. Cooke,
'O Little Town of Bethlehem', trad.,
'Shepherds Shake Off', M Wiegenlied,
'Stille Nacht', Gruber,
'A Babe is Born All of a May', Mathias,
'Quelle est Cette Odeur', trad., arr. Willcocks,
'Hark! the Herald Angels Sing', Mendelssohn, arr. Willcocks
Performance NotesThis was the first event to be held in the Hall's main auditorium with an audience (socially-distanced) since the closure of the Hall on 17 March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The celebrated Royal Choral Society was formed as part of the Royal Albert Hall’s official opening, and the 160-strong choir has sung here every Christmas since 1872. For this concert only 48 members of the RCS were allowed to perform due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The festive programme was packed full of glorious carols old and new – including traditional favourites Silent Night, The Twelve Days of Christmas and O Come all Ye Faithful. The renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a host of special guests accompanied the choir for this gala concert.
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
Work11989Christmas with the Royal Choral Society1
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/49Royal Choral Society (RCS); 1872-; English choir
DS/UK/41Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO); 1946-; British orchestra
DS/UK/562Cooke; Richard (fl 1982-); Dr.; British musical Director of the Royal Choral Society (1995-)
DS/UK/23141Bevan; Benjamin; British operatic baritone singer
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