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Heralding the Christmas season in grand musical style, the concert featured the Meridian Sinfonia orchestra playing period instruments, and acclaimed soloists Hannah Grove (Soprano), Stephen Carter (Countertenor), Roy Rashbrook (Tenor) and Robert Rice (Bass).  Dr Peter Nardone, Organist & Director of Music at Worcester Cathedral, conducted.

Ben Cooper, Chairman of Worcester Festival Choral Society, said: “Handel’s Messiah is a highlight in the City’s musical calendar and a great treat to listen to, and to sing. This year we performed the complete work so it was a really atmospheric evening.  We had a packed cathedral!”

Handel’s Messiah is amongst the most popular pieces of classical music ever written, packed with familiar choruses such as ‘For unto us a child is born’ and ‘And he shall purify’. The rousing ‘Hallelujah’ chorus is the most famous section however, for which audiences usually stand – a tradition started when King George II rose to his feet at the debut London performance in 1743.

Established in 1861, Worcester Festival Choral Society – one of the world-famous Three Choirs Festival choirs – comprises around 140 auditioned, amateur singers and is one of the most accomplished choirs in the region. The society stages three major concerts each year in the magnificent surroundings of Worcester Cathedral, performing the world’s ‘great choral works’. 

The Society's next concert takes place at Worcester Cathedral on Saturday 12th March 2016. The 'Spring Spectacular' will feature popular choral works by Dvorak, Borodin, Brahms and Vaughan Williams. Tickets are between £10 and £25 (some concessions available), from www.worcesterfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk.