An orchestra on stage with a choir behind

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The Bach Choir: The Dream of Gerontius

The Bach Choir and the Philharmonia Orchestra join forces for Elgar’s choral masterpiece and to premiere a companion piece Cusp composed by Roderick Williams.

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Cardinal Newman’s poem ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ tells the story of the end of an old man’s life and his soul’s subsequent journey towards God.

The poem was a well-known and much-loved work in its own right by the time Elgar came to set it to music in 1900. From it, he created his greatest choral work – if not the greatest by any English composer.

Writing for two choirs, soloists, orchestra and organ, Elgar composed music that seemed to come from the depths of his own soul.

Acclaimed tenor Daniel Norman sings the moving title role, and Jennifer Johnston is the Angel who supports him on his journey.

To open the evening, The Bach Choir has commissioned Cusp, a new piece from Roderick Williams OBE with text by Rommi Smith. It acts as a prelude to Elgar’s work, considering what it is to wait alongside someone in their final moments.

Williams is one of the country’s best-loved singers, chosen by King Charles III to perform at the Coronation. His compositions have been premiered at the Southbank Centre, the Wigmore and Barbican Halls, and on national radio. He frequently appears with The Bach Choir as a soloist, making him well-placed to get the best out of this 200-strong ensemble.

Performers

Philharmonia Orchestra

David Hill conductor

Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano

Daniel Norman tenor

Roderick Williams baritone

The Bach Choir

Repertoire

Roderick Williams: Cusp

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - Part 1

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius - Part 2

Need to know

Age guidance

For ages 7+

For your visit

This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre

The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.

Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.

A concrete building with flags on the roof, with the London Eye and Big Ben in the background

A lively crowd cheers with raised hands, while a performer in a white hat and suit plays guitar, against red lighting.

A guitarist performing on a dark stage at the Royal Festival Hall, lit up by multiple spotlights.

Pianis Víkingur Ólafsson is seated at a grand piano while playing Bach’s Goldberg Variations on the stage of Royal Festival Hall

Organist Carol Williams plays the Royal Festival Hall organ whiich is illumiated with bold colours

The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.

Getting here

Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.

The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.

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All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.

All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.

On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.

From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.

Other places to eat and drink whilst you’re here