Temple Winter Festival, Temple Church, Inns of Court
Music inspired by the Christmas story written over the centuries and performed by ensembles ancient and modern
Merton College Choir, Oxford, sings at Temple Church on 12 December
It wouldn't be Christmas without some uplifting music in inspiring surroundings, and for that magical combination of sight and sound, Temple Winter Festival takes some beating.
Five days and night of sacred and festive music at the historic Temple Church in the heart of the Inns of Court begin (11 Dec, 7.30PM) with the church's own choir and the Temple Singers in music by Bach, Gabrieli, Poulenc, Messiaen, Mendelssohn and others.
Temple Church Choir
That is followed (12 Dec, 7.30PM) by a visit from the Choir of Merton College, Oxford and actor Anthony Andrews of Brideshead Revisited fame, for an evening of music and readings. Composers include Benjamin Britten, Elizabeth Poston (Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree), Poulenc and the modern master of the carol, John Rutter.
Organist Greg Morris, currently engaged in playing live all the organ music of JS Bach, stops off at the Temple Church (13 Dec, 1PM) for a recital dominated by works written for Christmas. Later that evening, the Tallis Scholars under director Peter Philips sings Palestrina and Monteverdi in one of the highlight concerts of the festival (13 Dec, 7.30PM).
The Gesualdo Six
At a lunchtime concert the next day, the Gesualdo Six sings The Coventry Carol, In Dulci Jubilo and other Christmas music in their concerts under director Owain Park (14 Dec, 1PM).
On the final day of the festival (15 Dec, 2PM), the renowned BBC Singers will sing seasonal music in a programme to be announced and broadcast. The festival concludes that evening with the prestigious and pristine ensemble Voces 8 (15 Dec, 7.30PM) in music for Christmas that includes Jonathan Dove's arrangement of The Three Kings.
Voces 8
Tickets to evening concerts cost from £10 to £35. Admission to the two lunchtime events – Greg Morris's recital and the BBC Singers' recital – is free. A ticket is required in advance for the BBC Singers: click here for more information.
Five days and night of sacred and festive music at the historic Temple Church in the heart of the Inns of Court begin (11 Dec, 7.30PM) with the church's own choir and the Temple Singers in music by Bach, Gabrieli, Poulenc, Messiaen, Mendelssohn and others.
Temple Church Choir
That is followed (12 Dec, 7.30PM) by a visit from the Choir of Merton College, Oxford and actor Anthony Andrews of Brideshead Revisited fame, for an evening of music and readings. Composers include Benjamin Britten, Elizabeth Poston (Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree), Poulenc and the modern master of the carol, John Rutter.
Organist Greg Morris, currently engaged in playing live all the organ music of JS Bach, stops off at the Temple Church (13 Dec, 1PM) for a recital dominated by works written for Christmas. Later that evening, the Tallis Scholars under director Peter Philips sings Palestrina and Monteverdi in one of the highlight concerts of the festival (13 Dec, 7.30PM).
The Gesualdo Six
At a lunchtime concert the next day, the Gesualdo Six sings The Coventry Carol, In Dulci Jubilo and other Christmas music in their concerts under director Owain Park (14 Dec, 1PM).
On the final day of the festival (15 Dec, 2PM), the renowned BBC Singers will sing seasonal music in a programme to be announced and broadcast. The festival concludes that evening with the prestigious and pristine ensemble Voces 8 (15 Dec, 7.30PM) in music for Christmas that includes Jonathan Dove's arrangement of The Three Kings.
Voces 8
Tickets to evening concerts cost from £10 to £35. Admission to the two lunchtime events – Greg Morris's recital and the BBC Singers' recital – is free. A ticket is required in advance for the BBC Singers: click here for more information.
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| What | Temple Winter Festival, Temple Church, Inns of Court |
| Where | Temple Church, Temple, EC4Y 7BB | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Temple (underground) |
| When |
11 Dec 17 – 15 Dec 17, seven events, times vary |
| Price | £0 - £35 |
| Website | Click here for more information and booking |