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.
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. 7 at 6:30 p.m.(2011), 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.Download a leaflet of St. Paul's full Christmas schedule
Handel's Messiah at the Albert Hall
- The Messiah from Scratch is one of choral music's great participation events. It's on November 27 (2011). Tickets from the Albert Hall Box Office.
- Later in December, the Royal Philharmonic joins the 500 massed voices of two choirs for the annual event. In 2011, that's on December 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets from the Royal Albert Hall box office.
A Candlelight Messiah in Full Period Costume
The London Philharmonic Choir join the Mozart Festival Orchestra to perform Handel's Messiah by candlelight in full 18th century period costume at the Royal Festival Hall on December 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Check back closer to Christmas 2012 for details and ticket information)Where to Hear English Choirs and Chorales Sing Handel's Messiah in England
These churches and concert halls usually have annual performances around Christmas, often by candlelight.- Bristol Colston Hall is the scene of a Come & Sing Messiah featuring the Bristol Choral Society, at 2 p.m. on November 26. (Check back closer to Christmas 2012 for details and ticket information) If you don't have your own score, they'll be available to rent for £2. Later, there's a family friendly, Mini-Messiah performance at 4:30 p.m.
- St. Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St. Edmunds, December 10 at 7:30p.m.
- The Bury Bach Choir, Suffolk's large, mixed voice choir, moves their performance of the Messiah to 24 March in 2011, at The Apex, Bury's new concert hall.
- Chichester Cathedral The Hanover Band performs at 7:30, Dec. 17. Tickets on +44 01243 813595 or the Cathedral website
- Gloucester Cathedral Gloucester Choral Society Messiah, Dec. 3, 7p.m.. To book, phone +44 (0)1242 691190 or book online.
- St. James's Church, Piccadilly in London. A Christmas Celebration by Candlelight. Music from the Messiah in a concert of mixed Christmas music, Dec. 10 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, online or on the door.
- St. Martin-in-the-Fields, in Trafalgar Square, London. The Belmont Ensemble perform the Messiah by candlelight at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. Tickets online. Handel actually played the organ at this famous church. So did Mozart.
- Westminister Abbey November 29 at 7 p.m.. This concert, in 2011, is part of the Abbey's celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Bookings through the Barbican box office
- Worcester Cathedral Worcester Festival Choral Society, Dec.10, 7:30p.m. Booking information from the choral society website or telephone Worcester Box Office Live, +44 (0)1905 6114 27.
