The coronations of English monarchs between James II and George III were large-scale musical events, featuring specially written orchestral anthems by the leading composers of the day.

This programme uses enlarged versions of our resident choir and orchestra to recreate the grand musical effects created in Westminster Abbey during the coronation service, which used most of the professional singers and instrumentalists in London.

It includes ‘God spake sometime in visions’ and ‘My heart is inditing’, the great eight-part anthems written by John Blow and Henry Purcell for James II’s coronation in 1685, a fine setting of ‘The lord is a sun and shield’ written by William Croft for George I’s coronation in 1714, Handel’s great setting of ‘Zadok the priest’ and ‘Let thy hand be strengthened’ written for George II in 1727, and one of the anthems composed by William Boyce for George III in 1761. This promises to be a memorable event; early booking is recommended!