The Bach Choir: Bach's Mass in B Minor
A sacred masterpiece is brought to life by the choir that was created especially to perform its UK premiere, 150 years ago.
The Bach Choir was formed in 1876 to give the UK premiere of Bach’s Mass in B minor at the now-closed St James’s Hall in Piccadilly.
Now, 150 years later, this ‘immense chorus’ (Evening Standard) returns to the work that started it all, here at the Royal Festival Hall with a century and a half of experience and a stellar cast joining them.
The Mass in B minor is a remarkable work which combines all of Bach’s monumental gifts as a composer. It contains solos, duets, trios and incredible choruses in as many as eight parts, combining joy, sadness and melancholy, but, above all, inspired melodic writing throughout.
The lightness, control and ‘miraculous diction’ (The Guardian) that The Bach Choir possesses make this ensemble the perfect match for one of Bach’s most magnificent works.
Join us to celebrate 150 years of the connection between one of the UK’s leading independent choruses and this monument of Western music.
Performers
Florilegium
David Hill conductor
Nardus Williams soprano
Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano
Sam Furness tenor
Neal Davies bass
The Bach Choir
Repertoire
Bach: Mass in B minor
Need to know
Box package
An exclusive box package is available, which includes:
- Hire of a private box (seats up to eight people).
- Use of the Royal Retiring Room, a private lounge with its own toilet facilities, for the duration of the event.
- One free drink per guest on arrival (prosecco, wine, beer or soft drink).
- Dedicated host to take drinks orders throughout the event.
For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.