Ex Cathedra have released details of their 2023-2024 season of concerts, which marks several important anniversaries in a typically wide-ranging programme of works.

Concerts will be performed at Symphony Hall and Town Hall in Birmingham as part of Ex Cathedra’s long-established residency, as well as other venues across the Midlands.

The season begins with Rachmaninoff’s ‘Vespers’ or All-Night Vigil, celebrating the composer’s 150th birthday with his choral masterpiece. Performances will take place in Birmingham and Warwick. Recent discoveries from the original 1915 poster inform the performance of this powerful work, and bells, so dear to Rachmaninoff, will sound the chants between the movements - chants drawn from the Znamenny tradition, Greece and, poignantly, from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

As ever, Ex Cathedra Baroque music is at the heart of the season, with three concerts devoted to this period. Baroque Passion explores heart-rending music by Purcell, Loti, Monteverdi, Carissimi, Bach and Scarlatti. Bach’s St John Passion at Symphony Hall on Good Friday will mark the 300th anniversary of the first performance in Leipzig in 1724, and Handel’s Messiah sees the group’s company of soloists step out from the choir in a relatively rare Ex Cathedra performance of some of the most famous and well-loved arias and choruses ever written.

Byrd to Bacharach and Bach celebrates Ex Cathedra’s Student Scholarship scheme, created in partnership with the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, now in its 5th year. The programme contains music by Charpentier and Purcell, as well as the programme’s three eponymous Bs: Byrd, Bacharach and Bach. Performed on the eve of St Cecilia’s Day, it also includes iconic works from two of the giants of 20th century British music: Britten’s Hymn to St Cecilia and Howells’ Take him earth for cherishing - dedicated to John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated on St Cecilia’s Day 60 years ago.

No Ex Cathedra season would be complete with its two atmospheric programmes for the solstices: Christmas Music by Candlelight and Summer Music by Candlelight. These popular concerts mark the swing of the year with candles glowing in the twilight, enchanting music and readings, in venues across the Midlands and London, including a return this Christmas to Lichfield where Ex Cathedra founder Jeffrey Skidmore lives. As Ex Cathedra continues its plans for the next half-century, two of its Associate Conductors - Quintin Beer and George Parris - return to work alongside Jeffrey to shape and conduct some of these performances.

Jeffrey Skidmore, Artistic Director of Ex Cathedra, comments: “What distinguishes an Ex Cathedra performance?  Freshness is frequently mentioned, even in pieces we have often performed, as is the quality of our team of soloists who also sing in the choruses and are part of the choir and the Ex Cathedra Consort. This company of skilled singers (12 for Messiah) who work regularly together help create the stylistic consistency that is one of the hallmarks of Ex Cathedra’s work.

“A highly regarded music critic once said that the choir was probably the best in the world. This is quite a claim and not only includes the technical virtuosity and unique chemistry of the singers but also the ethos of the ensemble, its ability and desire to communicate with audiences, its imaginative programming, its stylistic awareness and above all its humanity. Our programme is for everyone. I hope to see you soon.”

Full details of the season can be found at excathedra.co.uk, with tickets available from £15 (£5 for children and students in full-time education).