The Orchestra of St John’s has performed Messiah for 40 years and this year brings Handel’s masterpiece to Malmesbury Abbey.

OSJ has gathered together a host of singing and musical talent for the performance. Led by artistic director John Lubbock, the work will feature the voices of soprano Alice Privett, countertenor Roderick Morris, tenor Chris Turner and bass-baritone Bozidar Smiljanic.

The concert also features the collective OSJ Voices, one of the country’s greatly revered choral groups who have been performing for nearly 20 years.

Now more than 250 years old, and regarded by many as his most famous composition, Handel’s Messiah remains a highly popular festive oratorio, incorporating choir, soloists and orchestra.

Lubbock says, “Performing Messiah is immensely satisfying. It is a rousing journey bringing together voices and instruments in a piece that is a favourite of many in classical music.”

John Lubbock founded the OSJ in 1967, whilst still a student at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He studied conducting under the great Romanian, Sergiu Celibidache and has appeared as guest conductor with many leading UK orchestras and internationally.

The December 7 performance is the first of two visits the orchestra makes to Malmesbury this Christmas: on December 14 they return to the abbey for a concert featuring Sir James and Lady Galway, and a programme that includes Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Concerto for 3 Harpsichords arr. for strings and Cantata 32, with Vivaldi’s Flute Concerto Il gardellino and Concerto for 2 Flutes.