Britten – Ceremony of Carols

for 1 hour
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

As is traditional in Advent, St Bride’s Choir will be singing Benjamin Britten’s "A Ceremony of Carols" on Sunday 10th December at 5:30pm.

The service is open to all, ticketless and free to attend. Pre-registration for this event is now closed. At least 75 seats have been held for those who turn up on the day without registration. Doors open 30 minutes before the service starts.

Seven of the eleven movements of the Ceremony of Carols were written in 1942 as a homesick Britten endured a perilous boat journey across the Atlantic from America. It sets medieval texts by poet Gerald Bullett and embodies the spirit of hope and joy in our anticipation of Christmas.

The work opens and closes with the chant Hodie Christus natus est (Today Christ is born) sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. We are delighted that harpist Sue Rothstein will once again be joining us.

This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men’s voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements – plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins.

Those who have attended this service in the past have found it to be a profoundly devotional experience and a time of calm amidst the bustle of the Christmas period.

Ceremony of Carols was premiered in London by the women’s voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists’ Church in Fleet Street.

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.

A pre-recorded version of this service will also stream online on this page at the same time as the service in church, and on our pages at Facebook, YouTube and SoundCloud.

More info

St Bride's Church, Fleet Street

St Bride’s, Fleet Street is a warm and welcoming Christian community, and one of the most famous and fascinating historic churches in London.

A place of Christian worship for 1500 years, we continue to proclaim God’s love in the heart of the city. We are a thriving parish church, renowned for our outstanding music and unique ministry to all who work in the media.

Choral services take place every Sunday at 11am & 5:30pm both in church online with a host of other services and events throughout the year. Check our website for further information → https://www.stbrides.com 

The parish of St Bride Fleet Street is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of London’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

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Get in touch

Claire Seaton

St Bride's Church
Fleet Street
London

EC4Y 8AU
Administrator
020 7427 0133

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Britten – Ceremony of Carols

for 1 hour
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

As is traditional in Advent, St Bride’s Choir will be singing Benjamin Britten’s "A Ceremony of Carols" on Sunday 10th December at 5:30pm.

The service is open to all, ticketless and free to attend. Pre-registration for this event is now closed. At least 75 seats have been held for those who turn up on the day without registration. Doors open 30 minutes before the service starts.

Seven of the eleven movements of the Ceremony of Carols were written in 1942 as a homesick Britten endured a perilous boat journey across the Atlantic from America. It sets medieval texts by poet Gerald Bullett and embodies the spirit of hope and joy in our anticipation of Christmas.

The work opens and closes with the chant Hodie Christus natus est (Today Christ is born) sung in procession. The chant is also the basis of the poignant and dramatic harp Interlude which is both at the centre of the whole work and its longest movement. We are delighted that harpist Sue Rothstein will once again be joining us.

This service is preceded by a shortened form of Evensong, sung by men’s voices which complements the Britten by using two of the same elements – plainsong, which is used for the responses, psalm and canticles, and medievalism, with a piece of seasonal medieval music ending the service just before the Ceremony of Carols begins.

Those who have attended this service in the past have found it to be a profoundly devotional experience and a time of calm amidst the bustle of the Christmas period.

Ceremony of Carols was premiered in London by the women’s voices of the Fleet Street Choir so it is fitting that it has become such a central part of our Advent here at the Journalists’ Church in Fleet Street.

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.

A pre-recorded version of this service will also stream online on this page at the same time as the service in church, and on our pages at Facebook, YouTube and SoundCloud.

More info
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street Charity No. 1131311