The 2022 Festival programme
Building on the inaugural 2021 festival, the 2022 festival sees an enhanced programme of choral services, the return of Ensemble Pro Victoria for the festival concert, and another come-and-sing, this year being Handel's Messiah. We welcome Philip Moore, who will present the festival recital of his own works, given by Anthony Gray, and look forward to the closing festal Advent Procession, and the start of the Advent season proper.
24th Nov - 6pm
Festival Opening Mass
A small consort of Ensemble Pro Victoria open the festival with a sung mass, accompanied by festival organists Anthony Gray and Peter Brand.
25th Nov - 7pm
Ceremony of Carols
Ensemble Pro Victoria
Toby Ward - Artistic Director
Cecily Beer - Harp
the Gramophone-nominated Ensemble Pro Victoria return with Britten's Ceremony of Carols, starring celebrated harpist Cecily Beer, paired with Advent and Christmas gems. Featuring the world premiere of a new work by Niki Zodhi, and the winner of the 2022 Advent Festival Composition Competition.
26th Nov - 6.30pm
Handel's Messiah
Beginning with come and sing afternoon (2-5pm) working on the choruses with festival co-director Toby Ward, the evening performance of Handel's legendary work features four international soloists from the ranks of Ensemble Pro Victoria.
27th Nov - 10am | 5pm
Advent I festal services
Advent I mass at 10am with the choir of St Wilfrid, Harrogate, and the evening Advent Procession, with the joint forces of St Wilfrid and the Harrogate Festival Schola, premiering winning Composition Competition entries alongside established favourites, in candlelit procession.
