ONE of the world’s most popular choral works, Handel’s Messiah, which includes the thrilling Hallelujah chorus, of course, will be performed by the 140-strong Worcester Festival Choral Society at Worcester Cathedral.

Organisers say it will be one way of “welcoming the Christmas season in grand musical style”.

The spokesman added: The concert features acclaimed soprano Hannah Grove, contralto Kate Symonds-Joy, tenor Ben Thapa – known to many as a former member of platinum-selling classical vocal group G4 – and baritone James Cleverton. “Accompanying is the Meridian Sinfonia, playing period-pitch instruments. The choir’s music director Christopher Allsop conducts.”

Ben Cooper, Chairman of Worcester Festival Choral Society, added “Handel’s Messiah is always a real treat to hear, especially at this time of year. We’re expecting a packed cathedral!”

Messiah is amongst the most popular pieces of choral music ever written. Its many familiar choruses include For unto us a child is born, And he shall purify, and All we like sheep.

The rousing Hallelujah chorus is the most famous however, for which audiences usually stand – a tradition thought to have begun when King George II rose to his feet at the debut London performance in 1743.

Established in 1861, Worcester Festival Choral Society’s singers are selected from across the County. The society stages three major concerts in Worcester Cathedral each year, performing some of the world’s great choral works.

A popular Come and Sing workshop each spring gives non-members a chance to learn a choral classic in a day.

Many WFCS members also sing in the world-renowned, annual Three Choirs Festival, which in 2019 takes place in Gloucester.

Messiah concert tickets, for Saturday December 8, are available at www.worcesterfestivalchoralsociety.org.uk.

Tickets are also available from Worcester Live on 01905 611427.