Sydney Philharmonia Choirs to Perform THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS Next Week

At the end of the score of The Dream of Gerontius , Elgar wrote: "This is the best of me." This monumental work embodies Elgar's spiritual and artistic ideals - it is as stirringly romantic and grand as you'd expect, but it is also Elgar's most personal utterance. Elgar poured his "heart's blood" into Gerontius, responding to the words with evocative, sincere and imaginative music - imposing marches full of pomp and circumstance, choirs of demons and angels, and celestial harmonies - that takes us from earth to heaven. Elgar's masterful choral writing celebrates the beauty and power of the voice in partnership with the orchestra.

Music Director of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Brett Weymark , said "I believe that great music is transformational. It can heal, provoke, arouse and pacify. If I were asked to think of one piece of music that exemplified this potent force, it would be Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. It is one of the great human dramas played out with imagination and inspiration fire on a large canvas. It is both profoundly intellectual and completely emotional at the same time. Every time I sit down at the piano to work my way through the score I think to myself that I wished it would go on for ever. I love every note of it."

A performance of The Dream of Gerontius is a major event for performers and audiences alike. In this case, the virtuosic young musicians of The Sydney Youth Orchestra join the massed forces of the Festival Chorus and celebrated vocalists Jacqueline Dark , Andrew Goodwin and José Carbo to contemplate a vast fresco of life and life everlasting.

About the choir

The largest of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Festival Chorus is a 400-member strong choral powerhouse. The choir performs twice a year, focussing on works that showcase the diverse and dynamic musical range of the whole group.

Celebrating its tenth birthday in 2017, Festival Chorus will tackle two exciting and challenging programs - Rossini Stabat Mater and Elgar The Dream of Gerontius - both known for being monumental spiritual works, not for the faint of heart. The sheer size of the Festival Chorus lends itself to such soaring masterclasses in choral performance as 400 voices come together to transport the audience through two powerful works.

The chorus often perform in collaboration with other organisations like renowned musical theatre company, Squabbalogic, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. Renowned for their vibrant creativity and flair, these partners complement the Festival Chorus' vibrant live performances perfectly.

The Festival Chorus, as the largest choir in the Sydney Philharmonia family, is the most accessible choir for first time choristers. Singing just two programs a year, and with the support of 400 other singers, Festival Chorus provides the perfect proving ground for the uninitiated or the time poor looking for a fruitful pastime. The Festival Chorus fee includes 20+ rehearsals across the course of the year, all music, vocal coaching, and, best of all, the chance to sing alongside a full orchestra, world-class soloists and 400 other passionate singers on the Sydney Opera House stage.

When: Thursday 19 October, 8pm | Saturday 21 October, 2pm
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Tickets: $49-$109 plus booking fees

Conductor: Brett Weymark
Mezzo Soprano: Jacqueline
Dark Tenor: Andrew Goodwin
Baritone: José Carbo
Choir: Festival Chorus
Orchestra: Sydney Youth Orchestra

Devoted to presenting the art of choral singing at the highest standard, and fostering the signing community in Sydney and beyond, Sydney Philharmonia choirs is Australia's finest choral performing arts company. SPC is led by charismatic and dynamic Music Director, Brett Weymark and is made up of 1500 people, across four choirs, who volunteer their time and talents to rehearsals and events year-round. The choirs regularly perform at the Sydney Opera House and City Recital Hall, and other prestigious venues around the city, alongside the world's best conductors, soloists, and orchestras, including the Sydney Symphony and Sydney Youth Orchestra. Founded in 1920, SPC will celebrate their centenary in 2020, with a huge line-up of concerts and events.

For more information visit www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au.

To post a comment, you must register and login.