Event Details

WHAT: RASBJ in-person event — Live performance of Handel's Coronation Anthems, one of which will be performed at The Coronation of King Charles III


WHEN: April 16 Sunday, starting 11.30am and due to end 12.30pm


WHERE: Recording studio of China National Opera and Dance Troupe, Unit 8, No. 2 Nanhua East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.

北京市西城区南华东街2号院8单元 中国歌剧舞剧院录音棚


MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Nicholas Smith has been a leading figure in the performance of western choral music in China for over 20 years. The Choir which he directed for 15 years, International Festival Chorus, set the standard for quality performance. His current choir and orchestra, Peking Sinfonietta, which includes both Chinese and expats, will perform the music composed by Handel for the coronation of George II, some of which has been used at every subsequent coronation of a UK monarch.


The music you will hear on April 16 -- all by Handel -- is:


  1. Let thy hand be strengthened
  2. Zadok the Priest
  3. The King shall rejoice
  4. My heart is inditing



George Frideric Handel, economic migrant, naturalized British composer and giant of the 18th century European music scene, is still known today for his musical hits both on and off the stage. One of his many immortal works is Zadok the Priest, the second of the four coronation anthems composed for the 1727 coronation of George II. Despite its chaotic first performance, this work remains so popular that it has been performed at every UK coronation since.


We welcome you to join us as a warm-up for the UK's more substantial coronation pageantry on May 6.



HOW MUCH: RMB 50 for RASBJ members and members of partner RAS branches; RMB 150 for non-members. Interested in becoming an RASBJ member? Please sign up at https://rasbj.org/membership/​​​


HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT: No later than 12 noon on April 14, please click "Register" or "I will Attend" and follow the instructions. After successful registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email. If you seem not to have received it, please check your spam folder.

Places are limited to 15.


REFUND POLICY: If the organizer/s decide to cancel or postpone the event, registrants will be refunded. Registrants who find they cannot attend for personal reasons will be refunded if they notify RASBJ 72 hours before the start of the event. No refunds will be available for cancellations less than 72 hours before the event.

Speakers

  • Nicholas Smith (Choir Director)

    Nicholas Smith

    Choir Director

    Nicholas Smith, OBE, holds a degree in music from Cambridge University and studied conducting and composition privately with Reginald Thompson. In China, Nicholas Smith is best known as the founder and director for 15 years until 2018 of The International Festival Chorus and Peking Sinfonietta Orchestra which together set the standard for performance of choral music in China, introducing many premieres of both western and Chinese music to a wide audience. He is reviving his choir and orchestra following the relaxation of Covid restrictions.

    As a conductor, Nick Smith has established a world-class reputation through his work with many international orchestras, and several of his recordings of both western and Chinese music have won international recognition.

    In addition to his conducting engagements, Mr. Smith is also a productive composer. Two of his China-inspired compositions, Changchun Impressions (recorded by Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Gavin Sutherland) and Tears in my Bowl (recorded by RTÉ Concert Orchestra, Gavin Sutherland) have been released on the Heritage label and distributed worldwide. Love, Friendship and Longing, a recent composition by Mr. Smith based on Tang dynasty poetry, was premiered in London in 2018. He has also collaborated with writer Hong Ying to compose a narrated symphonic work for children based on her story The Girl from the French Fort, which receives regular performances in China.

    Mr. Smith has appeared on numerous Chinese radio and television programs. In 2011 he was given Phoenix TV’s “You Bring Charm to China” award for his efforts to encourage and promote western classical music in China.

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  • Alan Babington-Smith (Moderator)

    Alan Babington-Smith

    Moderator

    https://www.rasbj.glueup.cn

    Alan Babington-Smith is the founding President of RASBJ, and long-term supporter of the International Festival Chorus.

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Venue

Recording studio of China National Opera and Dance Troupe 中国歌剧舞剧院录音棚

Unit 8, No. 2 Nanhua East Street, Xicheng District
北京市西城区南华东街2号院8单元
Beijing, China

If you have any questions please contact RASBJ Communications

Contact Organizer

Show on map

E-hailing: Please input 中国歌剧舞剧院 or "Nanhua East Street No.2" as the destination.


By subway: The nearest subway station is Hufangqiao 虎坊桥 on Line 7. Take Exit C. It is a 15-minute walk to the venue.