Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols

Lincoln Cathedral Voices are performing Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols in the Chapter House on Saturday 19 December, with two shows that afternoon and evening. It's their annual festive staging of the piece, so if you've been to the cathedral around Christmas in previous years, this is likely the one you remember.

Britten wrote A Ceremony of Carols in 1942 during a sea voyage from America back to England, and it's since become one of the most well-known works of Christmas choral music. The whole thing pairs choral singing with the harp, and the lyrics are traditional Christmas poetry—much of it hundreds of years old—set across a series of contrasting movements. Some are gentle and reflective, others are joyful celebrations, and they sit side by side rather than following a single mood.

For this performance, the choir is joined by harpist Thea Butterworth, with Jeffrey Makinson, Organist and Assistant Director of Music, conducting. The evening concert goes a bit further than the music: it includes wine, canapés and a lantern-light tour of the cathedral, so it's more of a full night out than just a concert. All proceeds go to the Lincoln Cathedral Music Fund, a registered charity (No 1033089).

There are two performances on the day: one at 2pm and one at 7pm, both in the Chapter House. Tickets are £15, with children's tickets at £7.50.