Lunchtime Concert: Orpheus Britannicus - A celebration of Henry Purcell

About this event

The finest choral music of Westminster Abbey’s most famous organist, Henry Purcell, alongside some of his solo songs as realised by Benjamin Britten. Join the St Margaret’s Consort of Westminster Abbey as they celebrate the work of Henry Purcell, organist of Westminster Abbey 1679-1695. Lamented after his early death as the “Orpheus Britannicus”, Purcell was a composer and performer who excelled in every genre of his day, and prolific in writing for both church and stage. Our programme presents some of his finest church music, expressive and vivid in its word painting. Purcell’s music for the stage is heard through the lens of Benjamin Britten. Purcell was a major influence on Britten, who took some of Purcell’s solo songs from the stage and adorned them with his own highly imaginative and characterful piano accompaniments. About the St Margaret's Consort St Margaret’s Consort is the professional vocal ensemble which provides choral music for the many high-profile services which take place in St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey; in particular, the Consort provides the music for celebrations of the life and works of prominent Parliamentarians, due to the close links St Margaret’s has enjoyed with both Houses of Parliament over the centuries. The altos, tenors and basses of the Consort also sing regularly with the St Margaret’s Choristers. There is evidence of choral music in St Margaret’s dating back to the church’s consecration in 1523, when prominent Tudor composers Nicholas Ludford and Robert Whyte were closely associated with the church. The current Consort has its roots in the Choir of St Margaret’s Church which in the past half century has been conducted by, among others, Richard Hickox, Simon Over and Aidan Oliver. About the Conductor Greg Morris is Director of Music at St Margaret’s Church, Westminster Abbey, where he oversees and directs the music both in St Margaret’s itself and in the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Houses of Parliament. As part of this role, Greg founded and directs the St Margaret’s Choristers, the Abbey’s first girl choristers to take part in its centuries-long tradition of choral worship. Besides his work at Westminster, Greg is Musical Director of Collegium Musicum of London and Bar Choral Society.