London's best Christmas music 2024
Carols and seasonal favourites, Handel's Messiah and operas to raise the spirits add up to a bumper package this year
Christmas as St Martin's
Religious and secular music go side by side at St Martin-in-the-Fields, on Trafalgar Square, throughout December. Take in a lunchtime, afternoon or evening performance with your shopping or National Gallery visit. Artists include The Sixteen (pictured) with orchestra in Handel's Messiah (Fri 6 Dec, 7PM-9PM).
Read more ...The Pirates of Penzance, English National Opera
Utterly delightful production by the great director Mike Leigh of Gilbert and Sullivan's liveliest opera, revived with a superb cast. This complete pick-me-up tonic features the hilarious John Savournin as the Pirate King, whose crew includes Frederic (William Morgan), apprenticed by mistake to a life of marine crime... Richard Suart is the model of a modern Major-General.
Read more ...London Coliseum, St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4ES
Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
With its gorgeous decorations, embracing auditorium and non-stop line-up of artists across all musical genres, Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall has something for everyone. A Culture Whisper favourite is John Rutter's Christmas Celebration (Thurs 5 Dec, 3PM and 7:30PM), with highly entertaining soloist Nicky Spence (pictured) and two choirs, whose programme includes carols and extracts from Messiah.
Read more ...Abel Selaocoe: Christmas From Around the World
The most thrilling cellist of his generation is joined by the versatile BBC Singers in a concert of Christmas favourites from across cultures. Traditional carols arranged by Selaocoe will feature African drumming and magnificent choral effects.
Read more ...Handel's Messiah, Cadogan Hall
One of several excellent performances of Handel's great telling in music of the Christmas story, Messiah, is sung by the English Chamber Orchestra, VOCES8, Foundation Choir and soloists Rowan Pierce (soprano), Tim Morgan (countertenor), Samuel Boden (tenor), and Benjamin Bevan (baritone), all under conductor Nicholas Kraemer.
Read more ...Handel's Messiah, Royal Festival Hall
A large-scale performance of Messiah features the Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Eamonn Dougan, with an outstanding line-up of soloists: Nardus Williams (soprano, pictured), Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano, Benjamin Hulett (tenor), and Matthew Brook (bass-baritone).
Handel's Messiah, Barbican Hall
Another superb performance of Messiah, this time with the early music specialists the Academy of Ancient Music under Laurence Cummings with soloists Louise Alder (soprano), Tim Mead (countertenor), Nick Pritchard (tenor, pictured) and Cody Quattlebaum (bass).
Read more ...Bryn's Christmas
World-class baritone Bryn Terfel is joined by the Orchestra of Welsh National Opera in a warm-hearted concert of Christmas music, with special guest soprano Pumeza Matshikiza. The programme includes seasonal favourites and traditional music from the singer's native Wales.
Read more ...Carols for Shoppers, St James's, Piccadilly
An attractive break from shopping or from your Royal Academy visit: a programme of Christmas carols performed by the gifted students of the Royal College of Music, one of London's three premier music conservatoires. The concert is heralded by brass fanfares, with celebratory drums, other instrumentalists and choir.
Read more ...Hansel and Gretel, Royal Opera House
A brother and sister, lost in the woods, encounter and triumph over a wicked witch in this traditional fairy tale set to ravishing music by the German composer Engelbert Humperdinck. Set pieces include the lively youngsters' merry dance, the balletic Dew Fairy and a lullaby to the sleepy children. Kate Lindsay and Heidi Stober take the title roles.
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