Having toured extensively at many cathedrals across England, 'Peter Marlow: The English Cathedral' is an ambitious photographic project chronicling all 42 naves of England’s Anglican cathedrals in natural light, with all modern artificial light turned off. The exhibition by the late Magnum photographer Peter Marlow (1952 - 2016) shows at Worcester Cathedral from 8 October - 17 November 2024. This epic geographical tour sees the photographer's awe-inspiring portraits evocatively transport the viewer back to the site's historic roots by inviting contemplation of its dramatic interior at dawn as the sun rises. Peter’s remarkable photographs bring into sharp relief the full splendour of the interiors of some of England’s most magnificent buildings, great symbols of spiritual and architectural power, using only natural light to capture the interiors of these iconic buildings. Organised by the Peter Marlow Foundation - the charity set up in recognition of Peter, his work and legacy - the goal is that this ethereal collection of images, will exhibit at each of the individual 42 cathedrals Peter visited on his photographic pilgrimage across England. Peter Marlow: The English Cathedral has previously been hosted by Coventry Cathedral in 2016, Ely Cathedral in 2017, Portsmouth and Blackburn in 2019, Carlisle, Winchester, Ripon, Southwell, Bradford, St Albans, and St Paul’s in 2022, Hereford, Newcastle, St Edmundsbury, Wakefield, Lincoln and Wells in 2023 and, so far in 2024, Manchester, Rochester, Peterborough, Derby and Chester. Worcester will be the 23rd cathedral to host the exhibition.
We are pleased to confirm the line-up for the Autumn Series of Lunchtime Recitals this year.
WORSHIP IN THE GARDEN: meeting with God in creation Starting in January, Worcester Cathedral will be launching a new, monthly service of worship. What makes it a little unusual is that it will not take place inside the cathedral. Instead, we will be outside, come rain or shine. SACRED GARDEN: engaging with God in creation through creativity Sacred Garden is a new monthly event that Worcester Cathedral is launching for people who feel God’s presence when they’re out in nature.
The 13th century sculpture of Christ in Majesty is not normally accessible to the public, but this autumn we are pleased to be open it to public visitors to the Cathedral. Open from 10am to 4pm each day from Monday 21 - Saturday 26 & Monday 28 - Friday 1 November This 13th Century carving would have once overlooked the monk's as they ate in College Hall. It would have depicted a large figure of Christ robed and seated in Majesty, where Christ seated on his throne as ruler of the world with one hand raised in blessing and the other hand holding a book. The figure of Christ was surrounded by images of the four Gospel writers. It was significantly damaged during the English Reformation in the 16th Century. In 2021 a project to conserve the sculpture was undertaken. This included careful cleaning of the sculpture, measures to stabilise the stone and enhance the remaining polychrome. College Hall where it is situated is used by King's School and so it is not normally open to the public, so take this limited time opportunity to see this historic and significant sculpture.
Direct from Carnegie Hall, New York and following a run of sell-out shows across the UK and Australia, join us for an incredible night of Queen Anthems, performed at Worcester Cathedral, by candlelight. Featuring a cast of West End Singers accompanied by an epic live rock band, experience Queen as you have never heard them before. Featuring some of the most iconic songs of all time, including Bohemian Rhapsody, It’s a Kind of Magic, We Are The Champions, Who Wants to Live Forever and many more. The Show Must Go On! So join us for this unforgettable experience guaranteed to Rock You!
Join us for an incredible night of Meat Loaf Anthems, performed in the beautiful Worcester Cathedral, by candlelight. Featuring a live cast of West End singers including stars of the West End production of 'Bat Out of Hell', accompanied by an incredible live rock band, experience the ultimate tribute to Meat Loaf as you have never heard before. This concert will feature some of the most iconic songs of all time including Anything For Love, Bat Out of Hell, Two Out of Three Ain't Bad, Dead Ringer for Love and many more! For Crying Out Loud... book your tickets now! This unforgettable experience is guaranteed to make your Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through!
This October Half Term, Worcester Cathedral presents... 'A Monk's Life' ! Tuesday 29 & Wednesday 30 October, 10.30am – 2.30pm in the Undercroft Learning Centre. Join with us to discover and explore the life and times of the monks that lived and worked at Worcester Cathedral in 11th – 16th Century. Find out about their roles and try your hand at some of their jobs. Learn about the food that they ate and the remedies that they prescribed.
Calling all visual artists! Don't miss the opportunity to sell your work at Worcester Cathedral's Art Market, from Thursday 31 October to Saturday 2 November 2024, 10am-4pm. Visitors are invited to join us for a shoppable festival of visual art in the stunning Medieval cloisters. For more information and to get involved, please contact the team at exhibitions@worcestercathedral.org.uk
Hundreds of twinkling lights will be lit in memory and celebration of loved ones this year, in the annual St Richard’s Hospice Lights of Love campaign. You are invited to dedicate a Light of Love and donate to the care of St Richard’s to celebrate or remember someone special. Lights will shine out from the hospice Christmas tree at St Andrew’s Spire, Worcester, during the festive season and dedicated names will be published on banners around the city landmark. Two Lights of Love services will be held in the Cathedral at 2.30pm and 7pm. The evening service is then followed by a light switch on at St Andrew’s Spire. Dedicate your light here.
Experience the enchantment of Viennese Christmas at our spectacular concert! Immerse yourself in the timeless melodies of Johann Strauss with the lively “Die Fledermaus Overture” and the foot-tapping “Trisch-Trasch Polka.” Feel the romantic allure of Tchaikovsky’s “Sleeping Beauty Waltz” and the vibrant rhythms of Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5.” Let the magic of the holiday season sweep you away with the iconic “Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky, evoking the joys of childhood dreams. And no Viennese concert would be complete without the breathtaking “Blue Danube” waltz, an embodiment of elegance and grace. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a symphonic feast that will leave your heart soaring and your soul filled with joy! PROGRAMME Strauss – Die Fledermaus Overture Strauss – Trisch-Trasch Polka Tchaikovsky – Sleeping Beauty Waltz Brahms – Hungarian Dance No. 5 Tchaikovsky – Nutcracker Suite Strauss – Blue Danube Waltz PERFORMERS London Concertante
This winter, discover the magic of the festive season with The Christmas Orchestra, a unique concert experience. The concert is performed live by a chamber orchestra supported with full sound production and lighting show. Experience uplifting nostalgia with compositions from your favourite Christmas films, as well as popular sing-along classics to ignite your festive spirit, including: Home Alone Love Actually The Holiday Nightmare before Christmas Muppet Christmas Carol Die Hard The Snowman The Grinch Elf Polar Express The Christmas Orchestra promises a magical and energising festive journey, capturing the essence of Christmas, perfect for igniting your holiday spirit.
This art workshop will introduce students to the delights of botanical watercolour painting and the subtle effects of paper weaving, as you learn to mix and develop your own personal colour palettes. Inspired by the colours of Christmas flowers and foliage, you will also explore famous Nativity paintings and manuscript decoration of the early Renaissance period. There will also be an opportunity to learn simple gilding techniques to enhance your work. Full colour copies of works of art are available for you to peruse and keep and small card mounts to frame your artwork will also be available to take home. This one day course will help you to develop your drawing and painting skills and techniques, working from actual botanical specimens including leaves, brilliantly coloured petals and flowers associated with Christmas. The course is suitable for adult artists with some previous experience and also for beginners, working at your own pace with both individual and group tuition. A welcome tea or coffee and all essential art materials and flower specimens will be provided. Price | £45 per student (10 places are available) Tutor: Dr Elizabeth Beattie is a fine artist, calligrapher and art historian. She is an experienced teacher of a range of visual arts. Website: www.elizabethemerybeattie.co.uk. Enrolment is via the tutor either by phone or email. Phone:01905 350882 Email: elizabethbeattie@mac.com
Experience the 140 voices of Worcester Festival Choral Society – one of England’s most respected choirs of its kind – performing a stunning programme of choral and orchestral classics by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Gabriel Fauré, in the magnificent surroundings of Worcester Cathedral. From the lively overture to Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute and the divine choral harmonies of his Solemn Vespers, to the tuneful beauty of Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine and the glorious richness of his beloved Requiem mass (which includes the famous Pie Jesu and transcendent In Paradisum), you’ll enjoy music that thrills the senses and the soul. Appearing alongside Worcester Festival Choral Society will be internationally acclaimed soloists Brittany King (soprano), Frances Gregory (mezzo soprano), Greg Tassell (tenor) and Peter Edge (baritone). Conducted by director of music Samuel Hudson, and accompanied by the Meridian Sinfonia, this is a classical spectacular not to be missed. Book tickets at www.wfcs.online or call the TicketSource Hotline: 0333 666 3366
Applications to enter a tree in our glittering Christmas Tree Festival 2024 are NOW OPEN!! Schools, businesses, charities, other organisations or individuals can now apply to enter a tree by completing an online form on the Cathedral website. The Prices to enter are: Company / Organisation / Group: £220 (inc VAT) Registered Charity or School: £110 (inc VAT) The festival will be open to visit from Thursday 5 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025 (excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), during normal visiting hours. The Christmas Tree Festival is extremely popular and attracts more and more applications and visitors each year, so apply quickly to avoid disappointment! Further details on visiting the Christmas Trees will be released closer to the time, so watch this space for updates. Click here to apply for a spot in the 2024 Festival. Worcester Cathedral’s Christmas Tree Festival 2024 is proudly sponsored by Haus Installations, Nicol & Co Estate Agents, 9ineteen Ltd and Vandemoortele Worcester.
Hallelujah! George Frideric Handel’s thrilling Baroque oratorio, Messiah, returns to the magnificent, specially candlelit surroundings of Worcester Cathedral this December, sung by the 140 voices of Worcester Festival Choral Society. Written more than 280 years ago, Messiah remains one of the world’s best-known, most beloved choral works. When King George II attended its premiere in 1742, he is said to have been so moved by the mighty Hallelujah chorus that he rose to his feet – a tradition that audiences continue today. As well as that famous chorus, the entire oratorio is packed with memorable musical moments, from For unto us a child is born and All we like sheep to And He shall purify and The trumpets shall sound. Accompanying Worcester Festival Choral Society – one of England’s leading choirs of its kind – will be outstanding soloists Hannah Davey (soprano), Judith Le Breuilly (mezzo soprano), Paul Smy (tenor) and Alex Ashworth (bass baritone). The concert is accompanied by the Meridian Sinfonia Baroque orchestra, and under the baton of Worcester Cathedral's director of music Samuel Hudson. Don’t miss this glittering musical prelude to the Christmas season! Book tickets at www.wfcs.online or call the TicketSource Hotline: 0333 666 3366
Chapterhouse Theatre Company is proud to bring you A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of hope and redemption this Christmas. Follow the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge as he embarks upon a journey through his past, present, and future, learning along the way to appreciate the true meaning of Christmas. With dazzling musical sequences and authentic period costuming, this production promises to be the perfect accompaniment to the festive season. Join family and friends at the most magical time of the year and be swept back in time nearly two centuries to the world of Scrooge’s London. “Endlessly charming…a joy to watch.” ~ The Star “Wonderfully emotive and an absolute joy. A simply heart-warming Christmassy tale that was beautifully told.” ~ Peterborough Telegraph “Dickens’ tale has lost none of its punch…fusing a contemporary feel with the author’s poetic text.’ ~ The Stage
Event description Calling all Princesses and Princes for a magical concert singing the enchanting songs from your favourite movies. General Info 25 April 2025 Entry from: 2.30pm Start time: 3pm End Time: 4.15pm The advised age for this event is 3+. Under 2s do not require a seat if sat on a parent or guardians lap throughout the show. Programme Enjoy an enchanting concert singing the magical themes from your favourite Princess movies including: Frozen, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Pocahontas, Beauty and the Beast, Wicked, Tangled, Aladdin, The Swan princess, Thumbelina, The Greatest Showman and more.