< Click on Gallery in menu for photos of our final rehearsal

Saturday 4 March 2017

7.30pm

(concert ends 9.15pm approximately)

The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds

Handel:     Zadok the Priest

Handel:     Let Thy Hand Be Strenghtened

Handel:     The King Shall Rejoice

Handel:     My Heart is Inditing

Purcell:     Funeral Music for Queen Mary

Handel:     Organ Concerto Op. 4 No. 6

James Recknell organ

Prometheus Orchestra

Bury Bach Choir

Philip Reed conductor

Less than a year after being naturalized British by the dying King George l, George Frideric Handel was commissioned to compose four anthems for the coronation of his successor King George ll and Queen Caroline on 11 October 1727.  He elected to write all four anthems in a particularly bold and extrovert style, suitable for the grandness and importance of the occasion, and for the scale of the venue, Westminster Abbey. 

These four anthems were instantly popular and have remained so with concert audiences to this day.  They are still frequently performed at Royal occasions and indeed Zadok the Priest has been performed at every coronation since 1727.  Their festive pomp and glittering fanfares never fail to put a tingle down the spine.  At this concert, unusually, you will be able to enjoy all four in one evening, in the beautiful acoustic of the Apex.  This will be quite special for all choral enthusiasts, and will also be a wonderful introduction to classical choral music for those of any age who are unfamiliar with the excitement of a live classical concert. 

Purcell’s anthems for the ceremonial funeral of Queen Mary in Westminster Abbey in 1695 are among the composer’s finest vocal music. Together with the associated sombre processional music, Purcell manages to convey the profound sense of loss of a favourite monarch.

Booking opens 5 September 2016

Tickets £23, £19.50 and £14 (all seats reserved)

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 4 February 2017