Main Performers | Richard Pearce - organ
Keri Fuge, Marta Fontanals-Simmons, Andrew Staples, James Cleverton - vocals |
Orchestra or Band | Royal Philharmonic Orchestra |
Performance Notes | Join the Royal Choral Society in its 150th anniversary season for one of Londons great Easter traditions Handels Messiah on Good Friday.
The choir performed Handels Messiah in its first season in 1872, but 1876 saw the first Good Friday performance at the Royal Albert Hall, and it quickly became an Easter tradition. Only the 1940/1 Blitz and the 2020/1 Covid pandemic have prevented the annual performances of the UKs favourite choral work.
The 150-strong choir (thought to have performed this work more than any other choir, with an estimated 280 performances) relishes its annual performance of this beloved oratorio. The 2023 performance will be conducted by the choirs Music Director Richard Cooke, and accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a quartet of superb soloists.
The Royal Choral Society has been performing the great choral masterpieces ever since its formation for the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871. Throughout its illustrious history, the choir has sung under the batons of eminent composers including Verdi, Dvorak, Elgar, Coleridge-Taylor, Vaughan Williams and Walton. Listening to Handels magnificent tour de force in the nations village hall is the perfect way to spend Good Friday afternoon.
The event included an interval. |