Belshazzar’s Feast

Bath Bach Choir and Bury Bach Choir jointly present William Walton’s magnificent oratorio Belshazzar’s Feast, one of the most thrilling and dramatic works in the choral repertoire, with baritone solos performed by the legendary Willard White.

This biblical epic tells the story of the Babylonian king’s downfall with power and intensity, featuring some of the most exciting and rhythmically complex choral writing ever composed. From the haunting opening narration, to the triumphant finale celebrating the liberation of the Jewish people, Walton’s masterpiece will transport you to the drama and decadence of ancient Babylon for an evening of musical storytelling at its absolute finest.

Belshazzar’s Feast is a work that will highlight the performance skills of these two fine choirs, coming together for the first time this summer under the baton of their shared musical director, Benedict Collins Rice. To complete the programme there will be a Willard White solo and favourite English choral pieces by Parry (Blest Pair of Sirens; I was Glad) and Walton (Coronation Te Deum composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey).

The choirs’ first ever collaboration will see them perform the same programme in St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds, on Saturday 13 June, in which the baritone solos will be sung by the stellar Roderick Williams. 

Book now for this rare opportunity to hear one of Britain’s greatest choral works performed live by a choir of 140 singers and an orchestra of over 50 players – a musical experience that will stay with you long after the final notes fade away.

Willard White bass baritone
Bath Bach Choir
Bury Bach Choir
Southern Sinfonia
Benedict Collins Rice conductor