Concert: A Seasonal Celebration of Benjamin Britten
Two Christmas classics from Benjamin Britten, in a candlelit concert with the St Margaret’s Choristers and Consort of Westminster Abbey.
Join us for an evening of Britten's music as the St Margaret’s Choristers and Consort usher in the festive season.
In A Ceremony of Carols, an exquisite collection of miniatures for treble voices and harp, Britten weaves scenes from the Christmas story into a delightful sequence of tableaux framed by a plainsong processional and recessional, by turns joyful, delicate, lyrical and dramatic.
The Choristers will then be joined by the St Margaret’s Consort in A Boy was Born, a virtuosic set of variations on an original theme for unaccompanied mixed choir and treble chorus.
50 years after his death, the concert will be a moving tribute to Benjamin Britten, one of the most influential figures in 20th-centruy English music, showcasing two of his finest choral works.
About the St Margaret's Choristers
The St Margaret’s Choristers, comprising 24 girls aged 11-17 drawn from schools across London, were formed in 2023 and have quickly established themselves as an integral part of the music of Westminster Abbey and St Margaret’s Church. Besides their regular contributions to worship in St Margaret’s Church and the Abbey, the Choristers have also given performances in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Central Hall, and with The English Concert in Westminster Abbey, and been heard on Classic FM. In August, they undertook their first tour, visiting Paris and singing in Notre Dame and La Madeleine. They will be joined in this concert by the full St Margaret’s Consort, the professional choir which provides the music for special services in the Parliamentary Church.
ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets
- Tickets are unassigned and ticket holders will be admitted first come first serve.
- Attendee tickets for young people under the age of 18 are free when accompanied by a ticket holder
- Westminster City Card holders receive 50% discount - see the ‘Culture offers’ on the Westminster City Card scheme website for details
Timings
- Doors open at 6.00pm and the concert will begin at 6.30pm
- Latecomers will be admitted but may not be able to occupy their allocated section until a suitable break in the performance.
Access & security
- Entry to St Margaret's is via the Great West Door
- Your bag will be searched and we ask you not to bring any large items with you (for example suitcases, large backpacks or folding bicycles) as these will not be allowed inside and we are unable to store them for you
- The Abbey is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events for all. If you have any access requirements or questions about your visit, please contact us when booking: [email protected]
Filming & photography
- Please note that photography, filming and sound recording are not permitted at Abbey concerts
General
- Older children are very welcome at our evening concerts but we do not recommend them for children under the age of nine
- While concerts provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy St Margaret's special atmosphere and magnificent architecture, the church is not open for visiting on concert evenings and we recommend consulting our website to plan a visit during opening hours. This ticket does not include entry to the Abbey.
- Tickets for Abbey concerts are non-transferrable and non-refundable
