Organization

Conductor

Richard Cooke

Singer

Soprano

Keri Fuge

Mezzo-soprano

Marta Fontanals-Simmons

Tenor

Andrew Staples

Bass

James Cleverton

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

Others

Royal Choral Society

Orchestra

Messiah on Good Friday

London

United Kingdom

Royal Albert Hall

Messiah on Good Friday: Messiah Händel

Public

Messiah HWV 56

Approved

Join the Royal Choral Society in its 150th anniversary season for one of London’s great Easter traditions – Handel’s Messiah on Good Friday.

The choir performed Handel’s 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 UK’s 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 choir’s 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 Handel’s magnificent tour de force in the nation’s ‘village hall’ is the perfect way to spend Good Friday afternoon.

English

Messiah on Good Friday by Händel, From (2023/2023), Conductor Richard Cooke, Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Ensemble

Program, About & Synopsis

Photos

Further reading

Performance Dates & Venues

Venues