
For their Christmas 2015 London appearance,
they will take to the gargantuan stage of the Royal Albert Hall for mid-week
night of choral classics. The superb Philharmonia Orchestra –one of Britain’s
finest – and the London Philharmonic Choir will join them. Two outstanding
rising stars, soprano Louise Alder and mezzo Katie Bray, will serve as
soloists, while King’s music director Stephen Cleobury conducts.
After the seasonal
hymn Joy to the World, the amassed
musicians will present excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, before the King’s College Choir alone embark on a
selection of traditional choral music. Then, after an interval, comes Vivaldi’s
Gloria, a twelve-part hymn setting of
extraordinary beauty and a high point of the Italian baroque. The Agnus dei is amongst the most exquisite
ever set.
A pair of
movements from Corelli’s Christmas
Concerto will give the singers time to rest, before they return for Bach’s Wachet Auf (often known as Sleepers Wake), one of the most popular
church cantatas from the incomparable Kapellmeister. Like the Gloria, it expresses the full richness
of the baroque tradition to blissful effect. The evening then draws to a close
with a selection of popular carols – including Hark! The herald angels sing, Good King Wenceslas and O come all ye faithful – which the
audience are welcome to join. With its diverse programme, winning soloists and
gathering of world-class ensembles, this looks to be a true peak of the
Christmas calendar. Book before it is too late.
What | King's College Choir Christmas Concert, Royal Albert Hall |
Where | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AP | MAP |
Nearest tube | South Kensington (underground) |
When |
On 16 Dec 15, 7:30 PM – 9:50 PM |
Price | £17.80-63.19 |
Website | Click here to book via the Royal Albert Hall |