About The Royal Choral Society

In the current season, the RCS is looking forward to performing a packed programme of music.

Concerts include Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall on Good Friday (a tradition since 1878), Classical Spectacular concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in March, Christmas Carols, and Carmina Burana.

The Royal Choral Society was formed soon after the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871 and its subsequent history reads like a Who’s Who of the musical world.

Former RCS conductors include Charles Gounod and Malcolm Sargent – the latter, described as ‘the finest British choral conductor of his generation’, had a forty year association with the choir. The RCS has always had a wide repertoire; their performance of new works has been a feature, with Verdi and Dvorák conducting the choir in premieres of their own works. More recently, the choir has given first performances of works by Ariel Ramirez and Geoffrey Burgon.

Our Musical Director, Richard Cooke, took over the baton from his distinguished predecessors in 1995. An experienced singer himself, he understands the capabilities of choral singers and is able to bring out the full potential of individual voices.

For a more detailed history of the RCS click here.

For details of our extensive repertoire click here.

FORTHCOMING CONCERT

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Orff Carmina Burana

Saturday 30th October 2010, 7.30pm

Venue: Royal Albert Hall

400 voices in monumental harmony. Carmina Burana returns to the Hall following eight years of sold-out performances.

MORE CONCERTS