The Festival Service is on Wednesday 22nd November at 11am in St Paul’s Cathedral. The Service begins with a spectacular robed procession by members of the City Livery Companies and will feature the choirs of St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral.  A highlight of the service will be the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Verses for St Cecilia’s Day. Other music to be performed will include Jonathan Dove’s Into thy hands O Lord, Peter Philips’ setting of Psalm 100 Jubilate Deo omnis terra and Parry’s Blest pair of sirens.

Tickets for the Festival Service are free and can be ordered from the MBF by emailing festival@mbf.org.uk or calling 020 7299 8357.

Following the Service, the Festival Luncheon will be held at The Brewery, Chiswell Street, EC1, London.  This year’s speaker will be Tony Hall, Chief Executive of the Royal Opera House. Lunch will be served in the historic Porter Tun at 1.00pm. Built in 1782 and famous for its magnificent King Post timber roof, The Porter Tun is one of the largest unobstructed rooms in London. The Luncheon will also be attended by leading members of the musical profession and supporters of the MBF. Tickets are available from the MBF at just £60 each by calling 020 7299 8357.

This year’s Royal Performance will be held on Thursday 23rd November at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The performance will be Tchaikovsky’s darkly dramatic opera,  The Queen of Spades, performed by The Royal Opera, conducted by Semyon Bychkov. Tickets are priced £6 - £135 and are available direct from the Royal Opera House Box Office on 020 7304 4000 or www.roh.org.uk.