Messiah on Good Friday

The Royal Choral Society was formed for the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871, and the choir performed Messiah in its first season in 1872, but it was in 1876 that the great Easter tradition of singing Messiah every Good Friday afternoon at the Royal Albert Hall began. It is thought that this choir has sung this profound spiritual epic more times than any other choral ensemble; we estimate it at around 280 performances. Messiah is the perfect musical choice for Passiontide, with the moving and uplifting music illustrating Christ’s passion, redemption and resurrection.  

From the earliest days the finest orchestras, conductors and soloists have joined the Royal Choral Society at the Royal Albert Hall on Good Friday, and this year was no exception, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, soprano Anna Devin, mezzo-soprano Madeleine Shaw, tenor Rufus Müller and bass Dominic Sedgwick all joining the choir under the baton of conductor Richard Cooke.