“He has personally commissioned 12 new works—six for orchestra, five for chorus, and one for organ. Andrew Lloyd Webber will compose a Coronation Anthem; John Eliot Gardiner will conduct The Monteverdi Choir; soloists include Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, soprano Pretty Yende, and baritone Roderick Williams.” [Musical America Worldwide; February 24, 2023]
Other composers include Tarik O’Regan, Roxanna Panufnik and Judith Weir; and Tony Pappano will conduct the Coronation Orchestra [sic].
Not bad, not bad at all! Those of us who complain of the Royals’ musical ignorance should be heartened by this line-up, and should say so. Presumably the ‘Coronation Orchestra’ (that’s really going be the title?) will contain the cream of British orchestral players…I look forward to spotting how many faces I know – if the camera shots linger long enough on them.