Here’s your chance to hear Elgar’s mighty Dream of Gerontius
Newbury’s fabulous Choral Society aim to raise the rafters at St Nic’s as they sing of the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory in the mighty Dream of Gerontius next week.
Edward Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, regarded by many as one of his greatest works, has become a staple of choral societies, ranking with Messiah, The Creation and Mozart’s Requiem.
Newbury Choral Society perform this popular work at St Nicolas’ Church, Newbury, at 7.30 pm on Saturday, April 12.
The work, scored for voices and orchestra, is full of excitement and drama. This performance will feature professional soloists and musicians. It tells the story of the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgement before God. Elgar himself was reluctant to call his work an oratorio, although there is a clear resemblance in many ways. By means of soloists, a semi-chorus and even a double chorus, backed up by a large orchestra, Elgar unfolds the tale of Gerontius passing from this world to the next.
Elgar was invited to write a work for the Birmingham Music Festival of 1900, in recognition of his burgeoning reputation as a composer of large-scale choral works. He had long been familiar with the poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman, describing a devout old man’s passage from death to judgement and rebirth in the next world.
He produced a work for voices and orchestra in two parts, which received far from complimentary reviews on its first performance. Yet The Dream has featured on the wish list of every serious choral society ever since, and was in part responsible for establishing Elgar amongst the foremost composers of his age.
Tickets are £15 (£5 for under 16s) and are available online via the society website at www.newburychoral.org.uk or from choir members.
Take a look at some previous reviews:
A treat for 16-year-old Estella as Newbury Choral Society hand her the baton to conduct closing carol
20 Dec 2024 LEE Newbury Choral SocietyNewbury Choral Society Christmas Carol Concert at St Nicolas’ Church…
Newbury Choral Society carol concert to support West Berks Foodbank
05 Dec 2024 Foodbank, with representatives available to answer questions and receive donations.“Newbury Choral Society…
