Music-lovers nationwide know the worth of making music: how it can unite and inspire communities, and give us hope through tough times. That’s the message at the heart of The Choral, a new film released by Sony Pictures in cinemas nationwide from Friday 7 November, marking the fourth cinematic collaboration between national treasure Alan Bennett and acclaimed director Sir Nicholas Hytner.

In the midst of the First World War, the Yorkshire town of Ramsden has lost many of its men to the army. The community sets out to raise morale through its choral society, and ambitious plans to perform Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. The story that follows is vintage Bennett – gleaming with wit, insight and warmth – matched by the tender, yearning tones of Elgar’s choral masterpiece. We witness a fractured society that discovers commonality, acceptance and strength through their collective embrace of music. Their tale is a rousing reminder how precious music yet remains, as our modern world tumbles towards fresh uncertainties.

‘If we can get people into cinemas this weekend to see a film about a choral society rehearsing The Dream of Gerontius… amazing! If Spotify and Apple suddenly see a run on people downloading The Dream of Gerontius… how about that?’ 
Nicholas Hytner

Insightful for anyone interested to see The Choral or those who have already seen it, our conversation casts a range of perspectives on the film and its powerful message about music. Alexander Armstrong (broadcaster, writer, singer, and RPS Council member) talks to the film’s director Nicholas Hytner, conductor Natalie Murray Beale who coached the actor Ralph Fiennes on the film, and Hilary Campbell who, as Music Director of Bristol Choral Society, won the first RPS Inspiration Award that celebrates non-professional music-makers nationwide.

‘Watching the film, it’s fascinating to see there are so many commonalities over one hundred years later. In troubled times, in fractured societies, there is this element of music-making that can bring us all together… creating something bigger that the sum of its parts. I do firmly believe in that and hear it and witness it on an almost daily basis.’ 
Hilary Campbell

We hope you enjoy watching the conversation, which took place at the Ham Yard Hotel in London on Monday 3 November 2025 in an event organised by the RPS and Sony Pictures. The RPS regularly presents talks and events intended to illuminate facets of classical music, and bring music-lovers and music-makers closer together. It’s a key strand of our work as one of the UK’s foremost music charities. If you love classical music, we invite you to become an RPS Member and join our cause. One of the benefits in return is access to a whole range of films from conversations like this – in the dedicated Backstage area of our website – with the likes of Nicola Benedetti, John Wilson, Tasmin Little, and the Kanneh-Mason family, plus fascinating ‘in rehearsal’ sessions with such luminaries as baritone Roderick Williams, pianist Joanna MacGregor and tenor Nicky Spence. You can read more about RPS Membership here on our website and in our Membership brochure. You can watch the trailer for The Choral here online.