WORCESTERSHIRE composer Sir Edward Elgar’s much-loved choral work, The Dream of Gerontius, is returning to Worcester Cathedral– performed by the long-standing local choir that was close to his heart: Worcester Festival Choral Society.
In the 1890s, Worcester Festival Choral Society was often conducted by Elgar. He also premiered two of his choral compositions with the Society and led its then-orchestra.
The Dream of Gerontius is widely regarded as one of Elgar’s most thrilling masterpieces. The music is set to a poem by John Henry Newman, about a man’s soul journeying to the judgment throne, led by his guardian angel.
In the concert, Worcester Festival Choral Society’s 140 voices depict the friends, priests, demons and angels Gerontius encounters along the way.
Joining them are internationally acclaimed soloists, whose credentials include the Royal Opera House and English Touring Opera: mezzo-soprano Marta Fontanals-Simmons (Angel); tenor Mark Wilde (Gerontius); and bass-baritone Njabulo Madlala (Priest/Angel of the Agony).
Accompanying will be the Meridian Sinfonia symphony orchestra. The conductor is Worcester Cathedral’s director of music, Samuel Hudson.
Ben Cooper, chairman of Worcester Festival Choral Society, said: “This is a wonderfully exciting, yet moving work that’s a true experience from start to finish. It’s the first time we’ll have performed it in Worcester for 12 years, so not to be missed!”
The concert starts at 7.30pm on March 18.
Visit www.wfcs.online or call 0333 666 3366 for more.
