Talented Harrogate choirs are to join forces for a special concert this Christmas

The festive concert will see Vocalis members joining forces with St Peter's Church and St Wilfrid's Church choirs to perform Handel’s famous oratorio first performed in Dublin in 1742.

Vocalis is a choir of 40 mixed voices which sings a capella and accompanied pieces from a range of repertoire, including classical, early music, romantic and classical.

The event will also feature the Harrogate Voices and the professional Harrogate Handel Players, a professional chamber ensemble which specialises in Baroque music.

Led by Fiona Love, the ensemble’s star soloists include Jenny Stafford, Emma Carrington, Alexander Grainger and Andrew Greenan; John Longstaff (DoM St. Peter's) directs while Anthony Gray (DoM St. Wilfrid's) will be on the organ.

The concert will take place on Friday, December 19 at St Peter’s Church at 7.15pm.

The Grade II listed St Peter's Church was built in 1870 and can be spotted outside the town for its towering spire, situated at the west end of the south aisle.

It also boasts a pipe organ which has evolved over a long period of time from an original organ by Edmund Schulze in 1867.

The Grade I listed St Wilfrid’s Church which opened in 1909 is Harrogate’s biggest church.

Tickets are available online via: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gf-handel-messiah-tickets-1952611596849

Visit St Peter's Parish Office (cash or cheques only), telephone 07425 161425, or pay on the door (card payments accepted).