Gospel Messiah, Royal Albert Hall

Think Handel’s Messiah is not for you? Or, on the other hand, can't get enough of this traditional Christmas musical fare? Either way, be in the know about a UK first, a performance of the oratorio like no other. Gospel Messiah might just have you dancing in the aisles, because this is a totally different way of looking at the Baroque masterpiece.

Forget dinner-suited formality, this is a version that takes all those famous arias and choruses and infuses them with soul, R&B, gospel, jazz and pop.

The Hallelujah Chorus becomes a stomping gospel anthem. And the soloists, tenor Zwakele Tshabalala and soul singer Vanessa Haynes, let rip with improvisation and scat, while the orchestra fizzes with saxophones, keyboards, Hammond organ and rhythm section.

Conductor Marin Alsop brings the Gospel Messiah to London. Photo: Adriane White

The BBC Concert Orchestra, BBC Symphony Chorus and the London Adventist Choir get in the groove with internationally famous conductor Marin Alsop, who created the Gospel Messiah with US arrangers Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. It’s become a favourite feature of Christmas right across the US and now comes to London for the first time on Thursday 7 December.

Be the among the first to hear it, at the Royal Albert Hall – and don’t forget your dancing shoes.

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Gospel Messiah is sung in English. Click here to book

Written in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall. Find out more about their Christmas programmes here.