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St George's Bristol, a renowned music venue at the heart of Bristol, invites members to take part in a mass choir performance of Handel's Zadok the Priest in celebration of the new King's Coronation and its 200th anniversary.
Written by Samir Savant, CEO of St George's Bristol
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 upcoming 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 performance venues, and Bristol Cathedral. It will take place in the beautiful cathedral building which dates back to the twelfth century.
'I am delighted to be working with our friends at Bristol Cathedral and with choirs across Bristol and the wider south west region on this massive choral tribute to the new King. Please join us' - Samir Savant, CEO of St George’s Bristol
This year marks the 200th anniversary of St George’s Bristol – a huge milestone for us. Bristol also has a significant birthday in 2023, as it celebrates 650 years since becoming a city. Therefore, we are looking to recruit 650 singers to take part in this special performance to commemorate both these key events. St George’s Bristol is already working with many choirs and singing groups across the city to bring a large choir together and encourages further involvement from members of Making Music.
If you as an individual singer or your choir/group would be interested to take part, please register your interest by emailing festivalofvoice@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk
All singers and/or groups are more than welcome to participate. 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 coronation of a British monarch since then. The event on 1 May this year follows the success of a mass participation Hallelujah! chorus event last year (spot the Handel theme…), with 150 brass players and singers for her late Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, which launched St George’s inaugural Festival of Voice.
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 a member of the audience.
To keep up with latest updates visit the St George’s Bristol website and follow St George’s on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram and Youtube
