Events at St Gabriel’s
What’s coming up this month
MUSIC, THOU QUEEN OF HEAVEN
A feast of contemporary choral music to celebrate the 40th birthday of the Elysian Singers
Join us in St Gabriel’s, Pimlico, for a celebration of the very best of contemporary choral writing, in honour of the choir’s longstanding commitment to new music. The centrepiece will be the world premiere of 'Elysian Ode', written especially for us by our patron Sir James MacMillan, who will be present along with several of the other composers. The wonderfully apt text is by Robert Herrick:
Music, thou queen of heaven, care-charming spell,
That strik'st a stillness into hell ;
Thou that tam'st tigers, and fierce storms that rise,
With thy soul-melting lullabies ;
Fall down, down, down from those thy chiming spheres,
To charm our souls, as thou enchant'st our ears.
The rest of the programme features emerging composers such as Ed Driver and Kerensa Briggs, and recent works by more established figures such as Caroline Shaw, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Will Todd and Joanna Marsh, alongside such distinguished names as John Rutter, Judith Weir, Eric Whitacre and Arvo Pärt. Truly a feast of music to ‘charm our souls’ and ‘enchant our ears’!
TICKETS
Early Bird: £20
Concessions: £16
Under 18s: FREE
Early Bird prices are available until 10 October. After that, tickets are £22 / £18 concessions.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS:
https://buytickets.at/theelysiansingersoflondon/2319582
A Look at Elektra - A Masterclass hosted by Carole Farley
A masterclass/showcase hosted by me (MET soprano Carole Farley) featuring 2 international casts in "A Look at Elektra" , six scenes from the opera Elektra by Richard Strauss and conducted by Ben Woodward.
Thursday 22nd October 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM
The Dresdner Motettenchor directed by Matthias Jung, will perform at St Gabriel’s, Pimlico, London, on Friday 23rd October at 7pm.
Their programme ‘Choral Perspectives’ will feature works from across Europe by composers such as Schütz, Bach, Britten, Nystedt, Weelkes, Weismann, Becker, Saint-Saëns, Vasks and Pearsall.
Tickets £20 (Concessions £10) plus booking fee, U12 Free, are now on sale from Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/choral-perspectives-tickets-1994663630614
and £25/£12 on the door.
Do come and hear this leading German chamber choir in this London performance supported by the Dresden Trust.
Music of Twilight Saga by Mystery Ensemble
“So the lion fell in love with the lamb.” For one night only, the hall softens to a warm, twilit glow, setting the scene for the love story that defined a generation and bringing the music of Twilight beyond the screen and into St Gabriel's Church in the heart of Pimlico, London.
Red Events proudly presents Music from the Twilight Saga — a unique concert experience in which the Mystery Ensemble transforms the film's most beloved music into a captivating nocturnal ritual for strings and piano, wrapped in shadow, light and sound.
More than a concert, it is an emotional journey through the entire story of Bella and Edward: from their first encounter in the forest to the sorrow of farewell, from the haunting Volturi Waltz to the promise of «forever». As the music unfolds, so does the story itself — a tale of love, longing, sacrifice, and the eternal battle between instinct and humanity.
The concert celebrates the composers who shaped the musical identity of The Twilight Saga.
From Carter Burwell’s original scores come the iconic Bella’s Lullaby, The Lion Fell in Love with the Lamb and I Know What You Are. Alexandre Desplat’s score for New Moon brings The Meadow, Marry Me, Bella and the mesmerising Volturi Waltz, while Howard Shore’s moving Jacob’s Theme from Eclipse completes the cinematic journey.
Alongside these unforgettable film scores, the ensemble performs specially created arrangements of the songs that became synonymous with the saga: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, Turning Page by Sleeping at Last, Flightless Bird, American Mouth by Iron & Wine, Muse’s electrifying Supermassive Black Hole, Paramore’s Decode, Lykke Li’s Possibility and Full Moon by The Black Ghosts.
All works are presented in original arrangements created exclusively by the Mystery Ensemble.
The magic of the evening is created through the dialogue among the musicians, the surrounding atmosphere and the music itself. As the melodies unfold, they transform the space into a world that is both intimate and epic, allowing audiences not merely to hear the music, but to experience the Twilight universe from within.
The Voices of London Festival is making its comeback with Haydn's Creation, led by the BBC Symphony Chorus and Sonoro conductor Neil Ferris.
To mark this new beginning, we are delighted to invite you to join renowned conductor Neil Ferris and repetiteur Benjamin Markovic for a come-and-sing, as we explore Joseph Haydn’s beloved oratorio, The Creation! This will be a relaxed one day event in Pimlico, culminating in an informal performance. You will be joined on stage by some of London’s finest young soloists.
Details of the come-and-sing are as follows:
Location: St. Gabriel’s Pimlico, Warwick Square, London SW1V 2AD
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Time: 10am sign in, 10:30-1pm rehearsal, 2-4.30pm rehearsal, 5pm free informal performance
Scores: Novello Edition, bring your own, or hire from us!
Cost: £30, including snacks and a drink at the reception
After the performance, please join us for a reception, where you will hear from these industry titans in a relaxed panel discussion. Additionally, we are so excited to showcase the voices of choral artists all over the capital city in future events - further details will be shared then!
We look forward to welcoming you, and singing with you in November!
Neil Ferris is Chorus Director of the BBC Symphony Chorus, Artistic Director and Conductor of the professional chamber choir Sonoro, and Festival Conductor of the Leith Hill Music Festival. With Sonoro, Neil has conducted at the St Magnus International Festival, the Wimbledon International Music Festival and King’s Place in London, and with the BBC Symphony Chorus at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.
In demand as guest conductor at some of the finest choirs in the UK, Neil has worked with the BBC Singers, Choir of the Age of Enlightenment, London Voices, the National Youth Choir, and the National Youth Choir of Wales. He also leads workshops for the Royal Opera House Sing at ROH programme and singing holidays for Helicon Arts and Run By Singers.
Orchestras that Neil has conducted include London Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, London Mozart Players, City of London Sinfonia and Orchestra of the Swan. As a teacher, Neil has led masterclasses in the UK at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal Welsh Conservatoire of Music and Drama, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, University of Birmingham, and abroad in the USA, Ireland, Denmark, China, Malaysia and Singapore.
Recordings include the world premiere recording of Cecilia McDowall’s Da Vinci Requiem and Seventy Degrees below Zero, with Wimbledon Choral and City of London Sinfonia, an album of the choral music of Jonathan Dove (Naxos), and a regular programme of recordings with Sonoro. Their album Christmas with Sonoro was selected as Christmas album choice in the BBC Music Magazine. In 2024 Sonoro released an album of the choral music of Stephen Dodgson on the SOMM label.
Join the Reverie Sinfonia for an evening of orchestral discovery in support of Help Musicians, the UK's leading charity for musicians. No ticket is required—donate what you can on the day, with all proceeds supporting the charity's vital work. The Reverie Sinfonia brings together outstanding young professional musicians from across London to present a programme that celebrates the richness of the symphonic tradition through fresh perspectives on both overlooked eighteenth-century repertoire and enduring Romantic masterpieces.
The Reverie Sinfonia's 'Music of the Rhine' programme showcases C. Stamitz' Grand Pastoral Symphony (UK Premiere) contrasted against Schumann's 3rd Symphony. Two masterful works both depicting the majestic and powerful nature of the the Rhine river.
Friday 13th November 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Admission: Free (no ticket required; donations accepted on the day for the music charity Help Musicians)
Join the Civil Service Chamber Choir, directed by Stephen Hall OBE, on Thursday 19 November at 7pm for an intimate and reflective performance of choral music inspired by themes of mortality, remembrance and eternal peace.
Maurice Greene – Lord, Let Me Know Mine End
Thomas Weelkes – When David Heard
Eleanor Daley – In Remembrance
Paul Mealor – In Flanders Fields
John Tavener – Song for Athene
Edgar Bainton – And I Saw a New Heaven
Maurice Duruflé – Requiem
Tickets £18. Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GZPP
Further information about the choir is available here: The Civil Service Choir – A London choir for civil servants across Whitehall
Internationally acclaimed pianist Angelo Villani in concert at St. Gabriel's Church, Pimlico, London.
Join the internationally acclaimed pianist Angelo Villani for an intimate Sunday afternoon recital at St Gabriel's, Pimlico, performed on the church's remarkable 2007 Hamburg Steinway Model D concert grand, formely at Wigmore Hall.
The recital will explore the extraordinary tonal and dynamic range of a full concert grand, with works by Mozart, Chopin, Liszt and Wagner.
This will be Villani's only public London concert for the remainder of 2026 and will also be professionally recorded for subsequent online release.
Premium reserved seating is available in the second row, keyboard-side, alongside standard general admission.
A complimentary glass of wine or soft drink will be served during the interval.
Sunday, November 22 • 2:30 PM - 4 PM
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/classical-piano-recital-angelo-villani-tickets-2001390089634
Piano Revenge Days — London
14 & 15 January 2027 · 19:15
St Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico
New sounds. New voices. A different piano.
St Gabriel’s Church welcomes Piano Revenge Days — London, a two-evening celebration of new piano music bringing together an exceptional group of international pianists and composers from across Europe and beyond.
Taking place on 14 and 15 January 2027 at 19:15, the festival will present two intimate collective concerts, featuring artists from France, Cyprus, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, the USA, Norway, Serbia and the UK.
The programme is dedicated entirely to the piano. Each artist will perform a short individual set, creating an evening that moves between different musical languages, personalities and approaches to the instrument. From contemporary compositions to distinctive new voices, the concerts offer an opportunity to discover piano music that is personal, adventurous and outside the traditional concert format.
Presented by Piano Revenge, an independent festival created by artists for artists, the London edition continues the organisation’s mission to promote new piano music and create opportunities for international artistic exchange.
With its intimate atmosphere and distinctive character, St Gabriel’s Church provides a beautiful setting for these encounters between music, artists and audience.
Admission is free. Donations are welcome and help support the festival, its participating artists and the continuation of its work promoting new piano music.
Piano Revenge Days — London
A piano. A room. A little rebellion.
Piano Revenge Days — London
14 & 15 January 2027 · 19:15
St Gabriel’s Church, Pimlico
New sounds. New voices. A different piano.
St Gabriel’s Church welcomes Piano Revenge Days — London, a two-evening celebration of new piano music bringing together an exceptional group of international pianists and composers from across Europe and beyond.
Taking place on 14 and 15 January 2027 at 19:15, the festival will present two intimate collective concerts, featuring artists from France, Cyprus, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland, the USA, Norway, Serbia and the UK.
The programme is dedicated entirely to the piano. Each artist will perform a short individual set, creating an evening that moves between different musical languages, personalities and approaches to the instrument. From contemporary compositions to distinctive new voices, the concerts offer an opportunity to discover piano music that is personal, adventurous and outside the traditional concert format.
Presented by Piano Revenge, an independent festival created by artists for artists, the London edition continues the organisation’s mission to promote new piano music and create opportunities for international artistic exchange.
With its intimate atmosphere and distinctive character, St Gabriel’s Church provides a beautiful setting for these encounters between music, artists and audience.
Admission is free. Donations are welcome and help support the festival, its participating artists and the continuation of its work promoting new piano music.
Piano Revenge Days — London
A piano. A room. A little rebellion.