Messiah: London Christmas performances of Handel's oratorio

By Claudia Pritchard on 24/11/2019

The 10 best performances that herald Christmas with compelling story-telling, grand choruses and spectacular solos sung by the finest artists

The Sixteen, Westminster Abbey

Harry Christophers conducts the premier chamber choir in an intense and highly focused performance of Handel's oratorio with soloists soprano Sophie Bevan (pictured), counter-tenor Iestyn Davies, tenor Robert Murray and bass Matthew Brook.

WHEN

Thurs 5 Dec, 6:30PM

WHERE

Westminster Abbey, 20 Deans Yard SW1P 3PA

Orchestra of St John's Smith Square and voices

In London's most elegant concert venue, a traditional performance of Handel's oratorio is conducted by John Lubbock with soloists soprano Louise Wayman soprano, alto Charlie Tetley and tenor Xavier Hetherington.

WHEN

Fri 6 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

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

Messiah from Scratch, Royal Albert Hall

Sing it yourself with The Really Big Chorus, conducted by Brian Kay. If you know the music, or it feels familiar, just book, turn up, and sing your heart out. No rehearsal required! Lots of fun, and all the great music of Messiah, with guests soloists too. Of course you can just listen, but singers outnumber the audience three to one...

WHEN

Sat 7 Dec, 7PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington SW7 2AP

Purcell Orchestra by Candlelight, St Mary Abbots

With an instrumental sound that London resident Handel would have recognised, Baroque specialists the Purcell Orchestra under Mark Uglow are joined by St Mary Abbots Choir and Singers and soloists soprano Sarah Probert, alto Cara Curran, tenor Dominic Bevan and bass David Costley-White.

WHEN

Sun 8 Dec, 6:30PM

WHERE

St Mary Abbots Church, Kensington Church Street W8 4LA

Collegium Musicum of London, Temple Church

Amid the historic and atmospheric architecture of Temple Church in the heart of the Inns of Court, chamber choir Collegium Musicum of London and orchestra Temple Players are conducted by Greg Morris, with soloists including Grace Davidson and bass Gareth John.

WHEN

Mon 9 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

Temple Church, Temple EC4Y 7BB

Freiburg Baroque, Barbican

Hailing from London resident Handel's home country of Germany, Freiburg Baroque are famed for their dynamism and drama. Trevor Pinnock conducts the orchestra and Zürcher Sing-Akademie, with soloists soprano Katherine Watson, alto Claudia Huckle, tenor James Way and bass Ashley Riches (pictured).

WHEN

Wed 11 Dec, 7PM

WHERE

Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS

Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall

One of London's big five orchestras in a large-scale performance of Handel's mighty oratorio, conducted by Brian Wright. With the 350 voices of two distinguished London choirs, Goldsmiths Choral Union and Highgate Choral Society, plus soprano Julia Doyle, Croatian mezzo-soprano Renata Pokupić (pictured), tenor Benjamin Hulett and bass David Shipley.

WHEN

Thurs 12 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX

Royal Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall

An event so popular there are both afternoon and evening performances. Christopher Aldstaedt conducts the RPO and Philharmonia Chorus, joined by the must-see soprano Natalya Romaniw (pictured), Cardiff Singer of the World performer and mezzo-soprano Katie Bray, tenor Elgan Llyr Thomas and bass William Thomas.

WHEN

Fri 18 Dec, 2:30PM & 7:30PM

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington SW7 2AP

English Chamber Choir, St Martin-in-the-Fields

By candlelight in Sir Christopher Wren's lovely church, with seats in the gallery and in the nave, a performance by regular performers the ECC and the Belmont Ensemble of London under conductor Peter G Dyson, with soloists soprano Elizabeth Weisberg, mezzo-soprano Ciara Hendrick, tenor Ben Thapa and bass Philip Tebb.

WHEN

Sat 21 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

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

Polyphony, St John's Smith Square

A highlight of the 34th St John's Smith Square Christmas Festival, Handel's oratorio is sung by early music experts Polyphony with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in a historically-informed performance conducted by Stephen Layton. Star soloists are soprano Anna Dennis, mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, tenor James Gilchrist (pictured) and bass Neal Davies.

WHEN

Mon 23 Dec, 7:30PM

WHERE

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

Messiah: London Christmas performances of Handel's oratorio

The 10 best performances that herald Christmas with compelling story-telling, grand choruses and spectacular solos sung by the finest artists

The Sixteen, Westminster Abbey

Orchestra of St John's Smith Square and voices

Messiah from Scratch, Royal Albert Hall

Purcell Orchestra by Candlelight, St Mary Abbots

Collegium Musicum of London, Temple Church

Freiburg Baroque, Barbican

Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Festival Hall

Royal Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Albert Hall

English Chamber Choir, St Martin-in-the-Fields

Polyphony, St John's Smith Square

Handel

Messiah

Royal Festival Hall

Barbican

St John's Smith Square

Temple Church

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Handel's Messiah: the key to Christmas music

Freddie Fox & Britten-Shostakovich Festival Orchestra, Cadogan Hall

Soprano Natalya Romaniw interview: 'My mum liked the chorus best!'

Opera at Covent Garden: all the shows this season

Agrippina, Royal Opera House review ★★★★★

The Intelligence Park, Royal Opera House, Linbury Theatre review ★★★★★