King Charles commissions new music for coronation – including an anthem by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber
King Charles has commissioned 12 new pieces of music for his coronation – including an anthem by award-winning composer Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber.
The monarch has personally selected the musical programme for the ceremony, which will take place at Westminster Abbey on 6 May.
The programme has been designed to showcase a range of musical talent and styles from the UK and the Commonwealth.
Greek Orthodox music will also be played as a tribute to his late father, Prince Philip the Duke of Edinburgh, who was born in Greece, into the Greek and Danish royal families.
It will be performed by the Byzantine Chant Ensemble.
One of the pieces of music has been composed by Lord Lloyd Webber, best known for hit musicals including The Phantom Of The Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar.
The 74-year-old said he was “incredibly honoured” to have been asked to compose a new piece, adding: “I hope my anthem reflects this joyful occasion”.
He said the anthem includes words slightly adapted from Psalm 98 and has been scored for the Westminster Abbey choir and organ, the ceremonial brass and orchestra.
In total, six orchestral commissions, five choral commissions and one organ commission have been created by British composers.
A Coronation March has been created by Patrick Doyle, while a piece by Iain Farrington for the solo organ takes in musical themes from countries across the Commonwealth.
Read more:
What will happen at the coronation?
King Charles’s coronation emblem revealed
There will also be new works by Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, Paul Mealor, Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik, Shirley J Thompson, Judith Weir, Roderick Williams, and Debbie Wiseman.
A hand-picked gospel choir – The Ascension Choir – will also perform as part of the service.
Andrew Nethsingha, organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey, who is taking charge of the musical arrangements and directing the music during the service described it as a “privilege” to collaborate with the King.
Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts
Sir Antonio Pappano, music director for the Royal Opera House, who will be conducting the Coronation Orchestra, added: “His Majesty has chosen a most beautiful and varied programme that I believe will enhance the splendour of this very special celebration.”
Around 2,000 guests are expected to attend the King’s coronation, which will be broadcast live on television.
It is thought Charles’s coronation will be shorter than his mother’s – lasting just over an hour instead of three.
But it will still consist of the traditional six parts to the coronation – the recognition, oath, anointing, investiture, enthronement and homage.
Queen Consort Camilla will also be crowned.
However, her crown will not contain the controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond over concerns it would serve as an unwelcome reminder of the British Empire.
UK
Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder
The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.
Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.
The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.
“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”
Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”
It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.
Pic: Avon and Somerset Police
Aria was a ‘precious girl’
In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.
“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.
“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”
They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
‘Wacky ways and outright madness’
Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.
He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.
Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.
“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.
“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”
Teenager in court
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.
He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.
Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.
A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.
The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.
The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.
During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.
The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.
Flowers laid in memory of the young girl
The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.
His father was among those attending in the public gallery.
The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024