The Royal Free Music Society is proudly celebrating three decades of making music in the community with a summer concert in Belsize Park.
The much-loved choir was founded in 1995 by medical students at the Hampstead hospital with a shared passion for music.
For the past 15 years, the choir has been led by Dr Benjamin Wolf, whose inspirational leadership helped them to navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge with renewed strength and spirit.
Under his baton, the choir has embraced a wide range of works from Handel’s Messiah to Requiems by Fauré, Duruflé, Mozart, and Brahms, and recent seasons have included collaborations with the Zemel Jewish Choir, Queen’s Park Singers, Belsize Baroque, and the Barnet Symphony Orchestra.
Long-serving accompanist Gill Cracknell, a beloved fixture for more than 25 years, continues to provide steadfast support.
“I’m delighted to be leading the Royal Free Music Society in its thirtieth year,” said Dr Wolf.
“This is a very special milestone being celebrated by a group of enthusiastic, loyal singers who have contributed a great deal to my life, to the life of the hospital and to the surrounding area.
“We will be celebrating with a concert at St Peter’s Church, Belsize Park, this coming Saturday, and then toasting our achievement with a party in July.”
The choir plans a series of special performances and community engagement to mark its milestone, but first there is the concert at St Peters Church, Belsize Park on Saturday June 14 at 7pm.
The Royal Free Music Society Choir will be accompanied by the Belsize Baroque orchestra to perform Pergolesi’s ‘Magnificat’, ‘Missa pro defunctis’ – a requiem by the lesser-known composer, Niccolo Jommelli, and Albinoni’s ‘Double Oboe Concerto No 9’.
Benjamin Wolf will conduct, and the soloists are Maud Millar – soprano, Ash Howard – mezzo-soprano, Rory Carver – tenor and Benjamin Seifert – baritone.
“This promises to be an evening of beautiful and profound 18th century sacred music,” said Dr Wolf.
Tickets from www.ticketsource.co.uk
