MUSIC lovers rejoice – as a choral concert cancelled three years ago is finally to be staged at Worcester Cathedral next month.
The 150 voices of the region’s leading classical choir, Worcester Festival Choral Society, are tuning up for a programme of much-loved Mozart and Faure on Saturday November 23.
The major concert – which is being staged by popular demand – features the same repertoire as one scheduled in 2021, which had to be cancelled unexpectedly when Storm Arwen severely damaged the cathedral roof.
All of the evening’s music will be well known to classical fans. The concert opens with Mozart’s orchestral Overture to The Magic Flute and his sparkling choral masterpiece, Solemn Vespers. In the second half, the choir performs Fauré’s beautiful Cantique de Jean Racine plus the ethereal Requiem, which includes the beloved Pie Jesu and In Paradisum movements.
The concert is under the baton of Worcester Cathedral director of music Samuel Hudson and accompanied by the Meridian Sinfonia. Four acclaimed soloists are also appearing, whose credits include English Touring Opera, the Gabrieli Consort and Monteverdi Choir – Brittany King (soprano), Frances Gregory (mezzo soprano), Greg Tassell (tenor) and Peter Edge (baritone).
Susan White, Worcester Festival Choral Society chairman, said: “We are thrilled to be able to re-stage this fabulous concert at last, after the unexpected cancellation of 2021. We’re expecting a packed cathedral.”
One of the England’s most accomplished choirs of its kind, Worcester Festival Choral Society has brought ‘the great choral works’ to the county since 1861. In its early days it had close associations with Sir Edward Elgar, who premiered two of his works with the society and was a regular conductor.
Many WFCS members are also selected to sing in the world-famous Three Choirs Festival Chorus each summer.
The concert starts at 7.30pm. For tickets visit www.wfcs.online or call TicketSource on 0333 666 3366.
