Concert: Handel Messiah

Members of the Choir of Westminster Abbey along with the renowned players of The English Concert bring to life this sacred oratorio, one of the best known and most frequently performed works of choral music.

The Choir of Westminster Abbey is renowned worldwide as one of the finest ensembles of its type, its repertoire extending from plainsong and Tudor polyphony to twentieth-century masterpieces and new commissions. In addition to singing the daily services, as it has done since the fourteenth century, the choir plays a central role in the many royal and state occasions which are held in the Abbey, many of which are broadcast live across the world. In recent years, these have included the State Funeral for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Andrew Nethsingha conductor 
Rowan Pierce soprano 
Tristram Cooke alto
William Balkwill tenor 
Jonathan Brown bass

“A choice performance … an extraordinary range of expressive tone.” 
The Guardian

Tickets

• Seats available at a range of prices:
  • Front Nave: £60.50 (+ £4.84 booking fee)
  • Middle Nave: £50.50 (+ £4.04 booking fee)
  • Rear Nave: £41 (+ £3.28 booking fee)
  • Aisle (restricted view): £32 (+ 2.56 booking fee)
  • Rear aisle (very restricted view): £25 (+ £2 booking fee)
  • Quire/Lantern (unreserved, no view): £16 (+ £1.28 booking fee)

Timings 

• Doors open at 6:15pm and the concert will begin at 7:00pm
• There will be an interval of 20 minutes and the performance will end at around 9:30pm
• Latecomers will be admitted but may not be able to occupy their allocated seats until a suitable break in the performance. 

Access & security

• Entry to Westminster Abbey 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]

Food and drink

On concert evenings (27th November and 19th December) the Cellarium Café and Terrace will be open from 5.00–6.45pm serving a 2-course Christmas menu (last orders 6.15pm) and pre-concert drinks and snacks. Email [email protected] to book.

Filming & photography

• Please note that photography, filming and sound recording are not permitted at Abbey concerts

General Information

• Older children are very welcome at our evening concerts but we do not recommend them for children under the age of six
• While concerts provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy the Abbey’s special atmosphere and magnificent architecture, the church is not open for visiting on concert evenings and we recommend consulting our website www.westminster-abbey.org to plan a visit during opening hours.
• Tickets for Abbey concerts are non-transferrable and non-refundable