Founded in 1734, the Norwegian Wind Ensemble is one of the revered and most respected cultural institutions in Scandinavia and one of the world’s oldest continuously running orchestras.

 

Known for their virtuoso classical performances in woodwind and brass, their forays into contemporary music and their gift for creating wind-band versions of Baroque classics, the ensemble has a talent for bringing new life to familiar pieces.

On the evening of Friday 19 December, the ensemble joins forces with Britain’s only full-time professional chamber choir, the equally lauded BBC Singers, to present Handel’s classic oratorio Messiah at London’s Temple Church. Conducted by David Hill and featuring some of the finest soloists singing today, the event presents a unique opportunity to hear two great musical institutions performing together, and to catch Handel’s masterwork in time for Christmas.