- Open to public?
- Open to public, no booking required
- Hosted by:
-
St George's Bristol - Date:
- 1 May 2023
- Location:
- Bristol Cathedral, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TJ, United Kingdom
- Find out more:
- festivalofvoice@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
It is said that there are more choirs in Bristol than anywhere else in the country. So it seems fitting for the city to come together and mark the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III through song. We intend to bring together a massed choir on Monday 1 May (Bank Holiday) to sing Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’, which will be filmed, edited and then sent to His Majesty as Bristol’s tribute to the new monarch with our civic best wishes. The event is jointly organised by St George’s, Bristol, one of the UK’s leading concert halls, and Bristol Cathedral, and will take place in the beautiful cathedral building which dates back to the twelfth century.
St George’s, Bristol celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, and this is a key event in a packed calendar. Bristol also has a significant birthday in 2023, as it is 650 years since it became a city, and we are looking to recruit 650 singers to take part in this special performance. St George’s, Bristol is already working with many choirs and singing groups across the city to bring a large choir together, and would welcome further involvement. All singers and/or groups are more than welcome, you do not need to be a trained classical singer, or a chamber choir, just to have enthusiasm for the project!
The celebrated composer George Frideric Handel wrote his four Coronation Anthems for the coronation of King George II in 1727 and one of them, ‘Zadok the Priest’ has been performed at every British coronation since.
There will be a rehearsal on the day at 2pm and the performance will be at 3pm. St George’s will run free online tutorials to help those wanting to learn the piece in the run-up to the big event. The massed choir will sing ‘Zadok the Priest’ and other local choirs will sing the other Coronation Anthems in a free performance open to all. Everyone is welcome to join in, either as a singer or member of the audience.
Look out for updates on our website – https://www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk/
