Key Points:
- Richmond Opera will perform Handel’s secular oratorio Alexander’s Feast for the first time at St Mary’s University Chapel on Saturday, 15 November 2025.
- The performance will be conducted by Lindsay Bramley with the Richmond Opera Baroque Orchestra, soloists, and chorus.
- Handel’s Concerto Grosso in C major, composed in 1736 for the original oratorio, will also be performed.
- The oratorio tells the story of a banquet by Alexander the Great and his mistress Thaïs in Persepolis, highlighting emotions stirred by musician Timotheus leading to the burning of the city.
- Tickets are priced at £17 for adults and £8.50 for under-18s and are currently available.
What is Richmond Opera’s upcoming performance?
Richmond Opera is excited to announce its inaugural performance at the historic St Mary’s University Chapel scheduled for Saturday, 15 November 2025, starting at 7 pm. This significant event will feature George Frideric Handel’s exuberant secular oratorio, Alexander’s Feast, performed in English. The ensemble will include the Richmond Opera Baroque Orchestra, soloists, and chorus, all under the expert direction of conductor Lindsay Bramley.
What works by Handel will be presented during the event?
In addition to performing Alexander’s Feast, Richmond Opera will present Handel’s Concerto Grosso in C major. This sparkling piece was originally composed in 1736 to accompany the oratorio and is known for its lively and intricate baroque orchestration. The inclusion of this concerto enriches the evening’s programme by contextualising Handel’s music as it was originally intended.
What is the story behind Alexander’s Feast?
Alexander’s Feast narrates a vivid and dramatic episode involving Alexander the Great’s triumphal banquet at Persepolis, a Persian city he conquered. According to the story, Alexander’s mistress, Thaïs, hosts this grand feast. The narrative centralises on the musician Timotheus, whose singing and playing evoke a range of intense emotions in Alexander, inducing feelings such as love, pride, and fury. The crescendo of these emotions, particularly the anger kindled by the memory of fallen Greek soldiers, spurs Alexander to set Persepolis ablaze as an act of revenge.
How can audiences attend the performance?
Tickets for this noteworthy event are available for purchase now. Admission is priced at £17 for general attendees, while individuals under the age of 18 can secure tickets at a reduced rate of £8.50. This pricing strategy encourages attendance by a broad demographic, including younger patrons interested in baroque opera and classical music.
What is the significance of this event for Richmond Opera?
This performance marks an important milestone for Richmond Opera, being their first at the distinguished St Mary’s University Chapel. By choosing to stage a full oratorio by Handel, the company showcases its commitment to presenting complex baroque works with historical relevance and artistic excellence. Under Lindsay Bramley’s baton, the orchestra and vocalists are set to deliver a vibrant and stirring rendition that honours the original spirit of Handel’s composition.
Richmond Opera’s upcoming presentation of Handel’s Alexander’s Feast on 15 November 2025 at St Mary’s University Chapel offers audiences a compelling blend of historical narrative, masterful baroque music, and an evocative theatrical experience. The event promises to be a highlight for lovers of classical music and baroque opera, with supporting performances of Handel’s Concerto Grosso enriching the programme. Interested individuals are encouraged to secure tickets promptly due to the event’s anticipated popularity .
