Sheku Kanneh-Mason has been booked for one of the biggest gigs of the year: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. The royal wedding takes place at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 19 May.
The 19-year-old cellist has already had a stellar 2018. His debut album Inspiration (released on Decca) reached number 18 in the UK pop charts and number one in the corresponding classical charts. As for online, his version of No Woman No Cry has been streamed more than 3,000,000 times on Spotify.
Said Kanneh-Mason: “I’m so excited and honoured to perform at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. I was bowled over when Ms Markle called me to ask if I would play during the ceremony, and of course I immediately said yes! What a privilege to be able to play the cello at such a wonderful event. I can’t wait!”
The royal wedding will be the latest in a series of high profile appearances for cellist. In he last 12 months he has performed at the BAFTAS, 10 Downing Street, BBC Proms and Carnegie Hall. In May he will tour the UK with dates in Nottingham (2 May), Brighton (4 May), Bristol (9 May), Newbury (12 May), Birmingham (13 May) and Bath (25 and 26 May).
Other confirmed performers for the wedding are The Kingdom Choir, soprano Elin Manahan Thomas, and an orchestra made up of members of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, English Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia conducted by Christopher Warren-Green.
Decca Records has also announced that the official recording of the ceremony will be released as an album later in the year.
