Purcell’s Lament

This ambitious new work will blend British composer Henry Purcell’s music with an original script by writer Stewart Harcourt to create a rich, immersive performance experience. Together musical director Sarah Latto and stage director Ben Mills will shape and stage this unique piece in collaboration with the choir and creative team, including professional soloists and baroque instrumentalists.

What’s this project about?

Our Purcell’s Lament project is inspired by our ACE-funded Messiah 250 project from 2022. Back then, we worked with our artistic director Sarah Latto and stage director Thomas Guthrie to take a fresh look at Handel’s Messiah, exploring its texts anew and embodying them in a dramatised performance. Along the way we held workshops for those completely new to and familiar with singing to support vocal health and wellbeing, and celebrate the joy of music making and the history of Messiah in Bath. We also held singing workshops with residents at local charity Julian House, and worked with students at Bath Spa University students who captured the production on film.

In 2026 – 50th anniversary year of Paragon Singers – we want to carry on the legacy of Messiah 250, putting on a newly imagined production, Purcell’s Lament. We’ll be working with top professionals, collaborating again with local partner charity organisations and education partners, creating new opportunities for exploring singing and developing new performance skills, improving wellbeing through the arts, and breaking down barriers to classical music.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

Come and experience the music of Purcell to life in a way Bath has never seen before - save the date of Saturday 11th July 2026 to watch the final performance at St Swithin’s, Walcot, Bath.

Tickets for the full performance and open rehearsal will be available shortly via Bath Box Office.

Watch this space for details of singing workshops and events happening in spring/summer 2026 or sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear about them. Spread the word on social media too - we’re @paragonsingersbath

Help make this project possible

We’re have ambitious plans for our 50th-anniversary programme. As part of our fundraising work for the year, we’re crowdfunding in order to make this year as impactful as we can for our participants, audiences and wider community in Bath. Give what you can today via our Crowdfunder page.

We’d be delighted to hear from local business interested in corporate sponsorship opportunities and other partners looking to be part of the project, so contact us at paragonsingers@gmail.com if you’d like to know more.