I don’t think we’ve had a year quite like this one.  It all started with our Come & Sing event in February, where we performed Brahms Requiem, followed by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s commission of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons re-imagined, with Joanna herself in attendance.  In May, we had our Verdi Opera Day, so the year got off to a busy and lively start.

Our Summer Concert, featuring Haydn’s “La Reine” and CPE Bach’s Magnificat, was a lovely way to mark the end of the season.  Then, in Autumn, our concert with a double helping of Dvorak was a joyful return to singing and playing together.

We were thrilled to see so many people turn up for our Come & Sing on Saturday 23rd November of Mozart’s Requiem, Fauré’s Requiem and Haydn’s Nelson Mass – we were struggling to find enough seats!  We are thankful to all our soloists and to the orchestra for leading us through a packed programme.  Singing in a relaxed setting on a Saturday afternoon was just what was needed, and it was clear that everyone knew the Nelson Mass really well; there were many beautiful moments.

In December, we returned to The Great Hall in Barts North Wing following its two-year restoration programme. Beautifully refreshed and impressive as ever, The Hall sparkled as talented musicians performed concertos featuring lead instruments by Mozart and Albinoni. In the second half, the programme was filled with festive favourites, including the Three Kings with a brave baritone singing a counter-melody solo, and much-loved choruses from Handel’s Messiah. Many thanks to the staff and event attendants who were on hand to ensure the smooth running of the evening.

With the arrival of January, choir rehearsals begin again on Friday 9th at 7 pm in Barts-the-Less Church.  This term, we’ll be looking at Wagner’s Parsifal for the Opera Days (one each term) and revisiting well-known pieces like Verdi’s Requiem for the Come & Sing in February, as well as Puccini’s Messa di Gloria for our Easter Concert.

If you’d be interested in singing with us, please get in touch through our Contact Us page or give us a call.

SAVE THE DATE
Saturday 24th January – we’ll need an audience for Wagner’s Parsifal!
If you would like to sing in the chorus, join the rehearsal the evening before.
Saturday 21st February – Come & Sing… Verdi’s Requiem at Holy Sepulchre
Monday 23rd March – Easter Concert in The Great Hall, Barts North Wing