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The Majesty of Handel

Music for Royal Occasions

Part of the Bury Bach Choir 2025-2026 Cycle

Add to my Calendar 14-03-2026 19:30 14-03-2026 21:30 36 The Majesty of Handel 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.  To complete this Handel bonanza, during the concert the Geldart Ensemble will entrance us with virtuoso performances of his Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Solomon Overture and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and the choir will sing Handel's O Praise the Lord along with Purcell's I was glad.  What an evening of amazing music! The Apex, Bury St Edmunds DD/MM/YYYY

Details


1 Charter Square
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3FD
England

Tickets

Prices: Tickets £29 and £22 (half price for under-30s)
Booking line: 01284 758000

Programme

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Performers

– Conductor



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Programme Note

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. 

To complete this Handel bonanza, during the concert the Geldart Ensemble will entrance us with virtuoso performances of his Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Solomon Overture and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, and the choir will sing Handel's O Praise the Lord along with Purcell's I was glad.  What an evening of amazing music!

George Friedric Handel

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