Coronation Theme for The 1885 Singers Summer Concert
Handel's Zadok the Priest paired with ceremonial music from other composers
Picture: 1885 Singers
June 9, 2026
The 1885 Singers return to All Saints’ this summer with a concert offering audiences a relaxed way to enjoy some of the most recognisable ceremonial music ever written.
Their Coronation Concert on Saturday 4 July at 7.30pm brings together Handel’s famous Coronation Anthems – including the ever-thrilling Zadok the Priest – alongside works by Parry, Stanford, Elgar, Wesley, Boyce and Redford. It is a programme rooted in royal pageantry, but the choir’s approach is anything but stiff: this is music designed to lift the roof, stir the pulse and remind listeners why these pieces have become part of the country’s shared musical memory.
Handel’s anthems, written for the coronation of George II in 1727, have lost none of their impact. Zadok the Priest in particular remains one of those rare works that can still surprise even the most seasoned listener, thanks to its slow-burning orchestral opening and sudden blaze of choral sound. The other anthems, often overshadowed by their famous sibling, are full of rhythmic vitality and expressive warmth, and hearing them together gives a fuller sense of Handel’s theatrical instinct.
The rest of the programme draws on music that has coloured coronations and national ceremonies across the centuries. Parry’s noble lines, Stanford’s craftsmanship, Elgar’s unmistakable lyricism and the contributions of earlier composers such as Boyce and Redford create a tapestry of styles that chart how British ceremonial music has evolved while retaining its unmistakable character. Heard in the resonant space of All Saints, the evening promises both splendour and intimacy.
Tickets are available on the door at £18 for adults and £10 for children and young adults aged 20 and under.
Founded in 1885, the choir has a long tradition of performing major choral works in southwest London. Known for its musical precision and commitment to accessible performance, the ensemble regularly collaborates with experienced soloists and instrumentalists. It is a non-auditioned choir of about 50 voices who enjoy singing from a wide repertoire of secular and sacred choral music.
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