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The Cathedral’s Music Department organises a range of events throughout the year, including organ concerts, song recitals, and orchestrally-accompanied performances given by the Choir. Additionally, the Cathedral’s musicians frequently give concerts further afield. Details of all forthcoming performances can be found below.
Highlighted Music events
Friday 8 November, 18:30 in the Quire
Cathedral Organ Open Evening
Learn all about our Cathedral organ at our free Open Evening!
This will include an introduction to the Cathedral’s organ (refurbished by Harrison & Harrison in 2020) by Assistant Director of Music, Jamie Rogers, a demonstration, and a chance for keen organists to play - time allowing - a short piece of their choice.
The Open Evening is free of charge and un-ticketed.
Anyone wishing to play the organ at this open evening should email [email protected] in advance.
Canterbury Cathedral presents
Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight
Saturday 23 November, 19:30-22:00 in the Quire, Canterbury Cathedral
The girl choristers and Lay Clerks of Canterbury Cathedral will be joined by period instrument ensemble, The Harmonious Society of Tickle-Fiddle Gentlemen, and a stellar line up of critically-acclaimed soloists, for a candlelit performance of Handel’s Messiah.
This concert will be an intimate presentation of some of Handel’s most enduring music in the beautiful surroundings of Canterbury Cathedral’s Quire.
Tickets: £27 (Incl. £2 booking fee)
This event is organised, managed and presented by Canterbury Cathedral
The Canterbury Festival
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Tenebrae Path of Miracles
Saturday 19 October, 19:00 in the Cathedral Nave
Joby Talbot’s modern masterpiece, Path of Miracles was Tenebrae’s first major commission in 2005 and has been captivating audiences worldwide ever since.
The work is based on the most enduring route of Catholic pilgrimage - the great Pilgrimage to Santiago.
The four movements are titled with the names of the four main staging posts of the ‘Camino Frances’ - the central axis of a network of pilgrimage routes to Santiago. This unique, dramatic work, ‘an evocative odyssey’ (The Times), showcases the voices of Tenebrae’s world-class singers.
Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15
Sponsored by Craven Street Wealth.
Image credit: Sim Canetty-Clarke
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Festival Evensong
Sunday 20 October, 17:30 in the Quire
A sung service gives thanks and blessings for the performers and audiences taking part in the Festival.
Free event.
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Secret Byrd
Thursday 24 October, 18:30 & 20:45 in the Cathedral Crypt
Secret Byrd celebrates the 400-year legacy of William Byrd, one of England’s finest composers, in an immersive performance by candlelight featuring The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works.
Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing secret Masses to be sung by worshippers during the Reformation. These Masses were held in people’s homes with smuggled priests and hidden Catholic artifacts.
This extraordinary theatrical concert recreates the sense of danger of these secret gatherings in the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt.
Audiences rove freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight.
Tickets: £36 - Capacity for this event is limited.
This roving event will require audience members to stand and move during the immersive performance. However, there will be chairs available for those that need them.
CANTERBURY FESTIVAL
MUSIC: Canterbury Choral Society Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610
Saturday 2 November, 19:30 in the Cathedral Nave
The Canterbury Festival is delighted to close this year’s Festival and mark its Ruby Jubilee with Canterbury Choral Society, who also celebrate Conductor Richard Cooke’s 40th year at the helm.
They will be joined by the Meridian Sinfonia to share its sheer beauty and greatness with a Festival audience, in the spectacular setting of the Cathedral Nave.
Tickets: £23 - £34, Listening Seats £15
Sponsored by South Canterbury and Fenwick Canterbury.
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