The choirs of two of London's historic chapels come together for the first time to celebrate the Queen instrumental in founding both

The choirs of two of London's historic chapels are coming together for what is thought to be their first joint concert. The Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Chapel Choir and the Chapel Choir of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea will be directed by Ralph Allwood and William Vann in a concert on Tuesday 30 April 2024 in the Chapel of the Old Royal Naval College. They will be joined by the Brandenburg Baroque Soloists for a concert celebrating Queen Mary II's Birthday.

There will be music by John Blow and Henry Purcell written for the Queen's coronation, birthday and funeral, plus Handel's Utrecht Te Deum written for her successor, Queen Anne. 

Queen Mary II was instrumental in founding the Royal Hospital for Seamen at Greenwich (what is now the Old Royal Naval College) in 1692 which is now home to Trinity Laban, and she was on the throne when the Royal Hospital, Chelsea finally opened its doors to Chelsea Pensioners for the first time. The Royal Hospital was founded in 1682 by King Charles II but was not ready to receive pensioners until 1692, when some of those first admitted were soldiers injured at the Battle of Sedgemoor, the final battle in the Duke of Monmouth's rebellion.  

Another link between the two institutions is, of course, Sir Christopher Wren who designed both, the one intended to house Army veterans and the other to house Navy veterans. Whilst the Royal Hospital, Chelsea has survived as an institution, adapting and changing over time, the Royal Hospital for Seamen closed in 1869 and it became a training establishment for the Royal Navy, the Royal Naval College. 

The chapel at the Old Royal Naval College is not quite that designed by Wren. There was a devastating fire, and the chapel was rebuilt in 1779 by James ‘Athenian’ Stuart.

Full details from the Trinity Laban website.