200 singers from 25 different nationalities to come together at the Usher Hall
200 singers from 25 different nationalities to come together on Usher Hall's stage in collaboration between Edinburgh Royal Choral Union and Brussels Choral Society!
Article Source: Edinburgh Royal Choral Union
Last Updated: 2 February 2026 15:39
The Edinburgh Royal Choral Union (ERCU), one of Scotland’s oldest and most distinguished choirs, will join forces with the Brussels Choral Society for an exciting collaborative concert at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Sunday 15 March 2026 at 3pm. Bringing together choirs from Scotland and Belgium, this special spring concert promises an afternoon of choral music on a grand scale, performed by 200 singers in one of the city’s most iconic venues. The collaboration follows a sold out performance of the same programme by ERCU and Brussels Choral Society at the renowned Bozar concert hall and arts venue in Brussels in December 2025, which received a rapturous response from the audience.
The concert will be conducted by Michael Bawtree, ERCU’s longstanding Chorus Director, whose musical leadership has shaped the choir’s artistic identity for many years. Widely admired for his clarity, depth, and commitment to choral excellence, Bawtree will direct the combined forces alongside the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, one of the UK’s leading opera orchestras.
Michael Bawtree said: “After a wonderful weekend in Belgium in December, where we were warmly welcomed by our friends in the Brussels Choral Society, we are now delighted to host them in Scotland’s capital and the country’s finest concert hall for this exciting springtime concert. I look forward to conducting two incredible choral masterpieces with 200 singers from over 25 countries, alongside four of Scotland’s brightest young soloists and the instrumentalists of Scotland’s national opera company.”
Solo roles will be performed by the Sòlas Ensemble, a young vocal quartet formed at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Their involvement reflects Edinburgh Royal Choral Union’s ongoing commitment to nurturing emerging professional talent and supporting the next generation of performers alongside established ensembles.
The programme offers a striking and emotionally rich pairing of two masterworks from the choral repertoire: Francis Poulenc’s Gloria and Anton Bruckner’s Mass in D minor. Together, the works span contrasting musical worlds while sharing a profound spiritual intensity and expressive breadth.
Poulenc’s Gloria, composed in 1959, is celebrated for its vibrant energy, playful rhythmic drive, and moments of radiant lyricism, combining modern harmonic language with a deep sense of joy and devotion. In contrast, Bruckner’s Mass in D minor stands as one of the composer’s most powerful sacred works, a monumental setting that reflects his unwavering faith, dramatic orchestration, and architectural musical vision. Performed side by side, the two pieces offer audiences a compelling journey from exuberant modern vitality to towering Romantic grandeur.
Founded in 1858, Edinburgh Royal Choral Union has played a central role in Scotland’s musical life for over a century and a half. The choir is best known for its annual New Year performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Usher Hall, a tradition established in 1888 and continued without interruption, even through two World Wars, alongside an ambitious programme of large-scale choral works and international collaborations.
This concert marks a major cultural exchange between Scotland and Belgium, celebrating the unifying power of choral music and the shared traditions that transcend national borders. The collaboration with the Brussels Choral Society brings together singers from two countries in a performance of exceptional scale, ambition, and artistic impact, highlighting the enduring vitality of amateur choral music at the highest level.
Tickets are on sale at cultureedinburgh.com, ranging from £17 to £42, with £5 concessions for students and under-16s.
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