Handel's Messiah - An English Christmas Tradition

Where to See a Performance of Handel's Messiah in the Holiday Season

Performances of Handel's Messiah during the Christmas season, are annual events around the UK. English choirs fill Cathedrals and concert halls with the well known work and, even when Handel's Messiah is not performed in its entirety, the well known first part - which includes the Hallelujah chorus, is sung.

If you are going to be in England in December, several outstanding annual productions are worth marking your calendar for.

An 18th Century Orchestra in Portsmouth Cathedral

The 18th Century Concert Orchestra, in authentic period clothes and using authentic, 18th century instruments, performs the Messiah, in candlelight with the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir at Portsmouth Cathedral, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. For information and tickets ring +44 (0)239 289 2965.

St.Paul's - A Historic Link to The Messiah

When the Choir of St. Paul's Cathedral in London sing Handel's Messiah, they are linked to a tradition of nearly 250 years. The Choir of St. Paul's joined the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of the Chapel Royal to sing the work at Handel's own funeral - at the Abbey - in 1759. The concert, on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.(2008), features the Cathedral Choir and Chorus and the City of London Sinfonia. It is ticketed but free, by post from the Chapter House,London EC4M 8AD, on a first come first served basis.

Handel's Messiah at the Albert Hall

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with 500 massed voices of the Goldsmiths Choral Union, Highate Choral Society and the English Concert Chorus, Dec.14 and 19, 7:30 p.m., Book online

A Candlelight Messiah in Full Period Costume

The Mozart Festival Orchestra and Mozart Festival Orchestra perform Handel's Messiah by candlelight in full period costume at the Royal Festival Hall on December 12 at 7:30 p.m. Book online

Where to Hear English Choirs and Chorales Sing Handel's Messiah in England

These churches and cathedrals (with their 2008 dates) usually have annual performances around Christmas, often by candlelight.

• Bristol Cathedral
  • The Emerald Ensemble and Bristol Cathedral Chamber Choir, Dec. 13,14, 7:30p.m. Telephone booking - Colston Hall Box Office, +44 (0)117 922 2686
  • Cabot Choir Christmas Concert, Handel's Messiah (Part 1) & Carols for Christmas, Dec. 22, 7:30p.m.
• St Mary's Church, Bury St. Edmunds Cathedral The Bury Bach Choir and The Suffolk Baroque Players and soloists, Dec. 20 at 7p.m. Booking information
• Chicester Cathedral The Choir of Royal Holloway College, Dec. 20, Tickets from the Cathedral Shop, tel: +44 (0)1243 813 599.
• Gloucester Cathedral Gloucester Choral Society Messiah, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.. To book, phone +44 (0)7729 912 876 or email tickets@gloucesterchoral.com.
• St. James's Church, Piccadilly in London. Christmas Music from the Messiah in a concert of mixed Christmas music, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m.with the Belmont Ensemble of the English Chamber Choir, tickets from St. Martin's in the Fields box office, +44 (0)207 766 1100. Part One of Handel's The Messiah, Dec.13 with The Royal Holloway Choir.
• Worcester Cathedral Worcester Festival Choral Society, Dec. 6, 7:30p.m. Booking information from the choral society website or telephone Worcester Box Office Live, +44 (0)1905 6114 27.
• St. Martin-in-the-Fields, in Trafalgar Square, London. The Belmont Ensemble perform the Messiah at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 23.Tickets online.Handel actually played the organ at this famous church. So did Mozart.