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Classical Music

London's best Christmas music 2024

By Claudia Pritchard on 10/11/2024

Carols and seasonal favourites, Handel's Messiah and operas to raise the spirits

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).

WHEN

Sun 1 to Mon 20 December 2024, daily events, start and running times vary

WHERE

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ

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.

WHEN

Mon 2 Dec 2024 to Fri 21 Feb 2025; 15 performances, start times vary. Running time 2hr 15min, including one interval

WHERE

English National Opera
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.

WHEN

Tues 3 Dec to Sat 21 Dec 2024. Events most days, start and running times vary

WHERE

Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, South Kensington, London SW7 2AP

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.

WHEN

Thurs 5 Dec 2025, 7:30PM

WHERE

Milton Court, Silk St, Barbican, London EC2Y 9BH

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.

WHEN

Sun 8 Dec 2024, 6PM (note early start time)

WHERE

Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ

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).

WHEN

Fri 13 Dec 2024, 7PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

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).

WHEN

Mon 16 Dec 2024, 7PM

WHERE

Barbican Hall, Silk Street, Barbican, London EC2Y 8DS

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.

WHEN

Mon 16 Dec 2024, 7PM

WHERE

Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX

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.

WHEN

Tues 17 Dec 2024, 2:30PM

WHERE

St James's Church, 197 Piccadilly, St. James's, London W1J 9LL

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.

WHEN

Fri 22 Dec 2024 to Thurs 9 Jan 2025. Nine performances, start times vary. Running time 2hr 15min, including one interval

WHERE

Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD

London's best Christmas music 2024

Carols and seasonal favourites, Handel's Messiah and operas to raise the spirits

Christmas as St Martin's

The Pirates of Penzance, English National Opera

Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall

Abel Selaocoe: Christmas From Around the World

Handel's Messiah, Cadogan Hall

Handel's Messiah, Royal Festival Hall

Handel's Messiah, Barbican Hall

Bryn's Christmas

Carols for Shoppers, St James's, Piccadilly

Hansel and Gretel, Royal Opera House

Royal Opera

English National Opera

Philharmonia Orchestra

Nicky Spence

John Rutter

Christmas 2024 Dance in London

Circa, Duck Pond, Southbank Centre

Rigoletto, English National Opera review ★★★★★