WILL Handel be one of the hottest tickets in Malvern again this Christmas?

We're about to find out, because the English Symphony Orchestra and the Academia Musica Choir are about to raise the rafters of Great Malvern Priory with a rendition of Messiah.

A spokesman said: "The ESO’s 2018 performance of Handel’s Messiah was the hottest ticket of the season in Malvern.

"Join us for our much-anticipated annual performance of this seasonal masterpiece with the outstanding Academia Musica Choir and a team of world-class soloists under the baton of Kenneth Woods."

The line-up will include April Fredrick – soprano; Teresa Karcher-Young – alto; Jon Weller – tenor, and Matthew Sharp – bass-baritone

The date for the diary will be Tuesday December 17 at 7.30pm.

The English Symphony Orchestra is widely billed as " the International Orchestra of Elgar Country".

The spokesman said: "It s an ensemble which in recent years has become synonymous with artistic excellence, innovative and visionary programming, distinctive commissioning, ground-breaking recording, a welcoming and immersive concert experience, transformative youth programmes and service to the community.

"Since 2013, the orchestra has re-emerged as a major force in British musical life, presenting and recording the orchestra’s first full-length opera (the world premiere of John Joubert’s Jane Eyre) to overwhelming critical acclaim, presenting the 2015 and 2016 Classical Music Magazine “Premiere of the Year,” and releasing a triumphant series of recordings including Donald Fraser’s orchestration of the Elgar Piano Quintet (Classic FM Disc of the Week) and the Complete Piano Concertos of Ernst Krenek (Sunday Times Best Recordings of 2016)."

Tickets for Messiah in the Priory are available from Eventbrite