Turning tips into memories

Best Easter music: London concerts and opera to uplift and inspire

By Claudia Pritchard on 24/2/2020

The Easter story told in song, a Handel rarity and Messiah, performed by top artists in churches and concert halls

Allegri's Miserere, St Martin in the Fields

The soaring top line of Allegri's haunting music will ring round the fine Georgian architecture of St Martin's in an early evening, hour-long candle-lit concert by the English Chamber Choir (pictured). Also sung, JS Bach's poignant Jesu, meine Freude and Lotti's moving Crucifixus.

WHEN

6PM, Sat 21 March

WHERE

St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ

Rusalka, English National Opera

How much do you sacrifice for love? That is the question posed in Dvorak's much-loved opera with echoes of The Little Mermaid. Listen out for the Song to the Moon, sung by the captivating soprano Corinne Winters (pictured) in the title role, as a nymph who gives up her voice to live with an earthbound prince.

WHEN

28 Mar 2020 – 15 Apr 2020, six performances plus 11 April (6PM start)

WHERE

English National Opera
London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES

Handel's Messiah, St Martin in the Fields

The ultimate Easter piece: the whole story of Christ from Nativity to Crucifixion and Resurrection, told by Handel at thrilling speed. Performed by candlelight by St Martin's Voices (pictured) and the Brandenburg Sinfonia under Andrew Earis.

WHEN

7:30PM, Fri 3 April

WHERE

St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ

Bach's St Matthew Passion, Royal Festival Hall

JS Bach's dramatic telling of the Easter story is operatic in scale and many-layered, with beautiful arias and spectacular choruses. Ed Lyon (pictured) is the Evangelist, leading a starry line-up of soloists who join the Bach Choir and orchestra Florilegium under David Hill. Sung in English, with long lunch interval.

WHEN

Sun 5 April 2020, 11AM-4PM, including long lunch interval

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

Bach's St John Passion, Cadogan Hall

The more intimate of JS Bach's two great Passions is sung by the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and the Academy of Ancient Music under William Vann. Soloists include Matthew Rose (pictured) as Christus and the fast-rising tenor James Way as the Evangelist.

WHEN

Thurs 9 April, 7PM

WHERE

Cadogan Hall
5 Sloane Terrace, London , SW1X 9DQ

St Matthew Passion, London Handel Festival

At the Georgian church that London resident Handel knew, a Good Friday performance of the the powerful oratorio by the composer's German contemporary JS Bach. With double choir, early music specialists the London Handel Orchestra and soloists, including Nathan Vale as the Evangelist, conducted by Laurence Cummings (pictured).

WHEN

Fri 10 April, 2:30PM

WHERE

St George's, Hanover Square, Mayfair W1S 1FX

St John Passion, Holy Week Festival

St John's Smith Square's week of sacred and contemplative music features both Bach Passions, the St Matthew on 6 April, and on Good Friday this performance by Polyphony and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment of the St John. With an all-star line-up of soloists: Robert Murray as the Evangelist, Neal Davies as Jesus, plus soprano Mary Bevan (pictured), tenor Iestyn Davies and bass Ashley Riches. Stephen Layton conducts

WHEN

Fri 10 April, 2:30PM

WHERE

St John's Smith Square, Smith Square, Westminster SW1P 3HA

The town is in party mood in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Royal Opera House. Photo: Catherine Ashmore

Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci, Royal Opera House

In the processional Easter Hymn at the heart of Mascagni's opera set, a small community gives voice with a religious passion to match the passions of the lovers at the heart of the story. An award-winning production returns to Covent Garden, with Leoncavallo's backstage opera about the tears of a clown....

WHEN

11 Apr 2020 – 02 May 2020, seven performances; 7PM start 11 April

WHERE

Royal Opera House
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD

Bach's B Minor Mass, St John's Smith Square

A full-scale work that marks the pinnacle of JS Bach's compositions, performed on the afternoon of Easter Day by Armonico Consort under Christopher Monks, with soloists including Elin Manahan Thomas (pictured). Bach never heard the piece in its entirety, but today it is one of the most sought-out pieces of music for those from all faiths and none.

WHEN

Sun 12 April, 3PM

WHERE

St John's Smith Square, Smith Square, Westminster SW1P 3HA

Mozart's Requiem, St Martin in the Fields

Mozart's musical farewell, sung by candlelight by the English Chamber Choir (pictured) and the Belmont Ensemble of London, under Peter Dyson. With soloists including mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick. In the first half, Vivaldi's joyful Gloria in D, JS Bach's devotional Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and the jubilant Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah by Handel.

WHEN

Mon 13 April, 7:30PM

WHERE

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square WC2N 4JJ

Best Easter music: London concerts and opera to uplift and inspire

The Easter story told in song, a Handel rarity and Messiah, performed by top artists in churches and concert halls

Allegri's Miserere, St Martin in the Fields

Rusalka, English National Opera

Handel's Messiah, St Martin in the Fields

Bach's St Matthew Passion, Royal Festival Hall

Bach's St John Passion, Cadogan Hall

St Matthew Passion, London Handel Festival

St John Passion, Holy Week Festival

Cavalleria Rusticana & Pagliacci, Royal Opera House

Bach's B Minor Mass, St John's Smith Square

Mozart's Requiem, St Martin in the Fields

Easter

Academy of Ancient Music

Handel

JS Bach

Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Mary Bevan

Iestyn Davies

Ashley Riches

Best Classical and Opera 2020

Best music for children: London concerts and opera

Glyndebourne Festival Opera 2020: the top artists and dates

Best Covent Garden Opera and Dance this spring

BBC Proms 2020

Opera Holland Park 2020: the stars, dates and must-sees