Messiah 2010

The Royal Choral Society’s performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall forms an important part of Great Britain’s choral tradition. For 132 years, the RCS has given the Good Friday performance of the world’s favourite sacred work in London’s greatest concert venue.

The choir performed Messiah in its very first season – 1873/4, but it was in 1878, with 1,000 singers under the baton of Joseph Barnby, that the Easter tradition was established. It is thought that the Royal Choral Society has sung the work more than any other choir – something over 270 times. There have also been a number of recordings, most recently in 1994 with the RPO conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.

From the earliest days, the finest orchestras, conductors and soloists have joined the RCS on Good Friday. Recent soloists read like a ‘roll-call’ of the world’s leading singers. They have included Kathleen Ferrier, Peter Pears, Owen Brannigan, Webster Booth, Jon Vickers, Janet Baker, Robert Tear, Benjamin Luxon, Felicity Palmer, Thomas Allen, Kiri Te Kanawa, Susan Bullock, Michael Chance, Willard White, Lesley Garrett and many more. We continue this great tradition at the Royal Albert Hall next Good Friday, .

Ticket prices will be available nearer the time. Special offer for stalls and box seats via RCS office only. For other ticket information please contact the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212

If you are interested in advertising in our programme please contact Virginia Edwyn-Jones at the RCS office on 020 7376 3718

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