Join us for an unforgettable evening as St Bride’s Choir and Orchestra perform Part One of Handel’s Messiah as the second of our four special Sunday evening Advent events.

We are delighted to revive this very popular event in our Advent calendar.

ADMISSION
The service is open to all, ticketless and free to attend. Doors open at 5pm and the performance lasts approximately 1 hour.

Many of our Advent events are very busy; please reserve a spot for early admission to the church (30 minutes before the event) to avoid disappointment.

We will hold back 125 places for later admission for those who arrive on the day without registration.

If you need assistance with this, please contact the office on 020 7427 0133 or email [email protected].

Many of our Advent events are very busy; please reserve a spot for early admission to the church (30 minutes before the event) to avoid disappointment.

We will hold back 125 places for later admission for those who arrive on the day without registration.

If you need assistance with this, please contact the office on 020 7427 0133 or email [email protected].

MUSIC
Messiah demonstrates Handel’s masterly ability to marry music and drama. Part One is often described as the Christmas section of this much-loved oratorio. It recounts the foretelling of Jesus’s birth – replete with angels and shepherds abiding in fields – then tells of the hope that Christmas brings to us all.

As is customary when performing only Part One, the evening concludes with the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus.

Premiered in Dublin in 1742, Messiah was an instant success. One first night review wrote how the exquisite blend of music and words “conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.”

London audiences – harder to please then, as today! – initially gave it a chilly reception but were soon won over and have continued to be. Unlike many great choral works, Messiah has never fallen out of favour.

The French-style opening Sinfony sets the scene for a succession of chorus masterpieces interspersed with a wide range of solo arias sung by our world-class St Bride’s Choir, accompanied by the St Bride’s Orchestra, under the direction of Matthew Morley.

SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S
There will be a retiring collection at the end of the service to support the work, ministry and music-making of St Bride's and help maintain our magnificent Wren church.

St Bride's is wholly reliant on and deeply grateful for the generous support of our visitors and congregation.

Donations can be made by cash or contactless at church or via JustGiving. A donation can also be made in advance via EventBrite if you choose to register for early admission to the service.

Do please Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible which generates an extra 25p in every £1 donated.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Doors open at 5pm and the service lasts around 1 hour.