Name: The Bach Choir: The Dream of Gerontius
Start: 2024-05-16T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-05-16T00:00:00.000Z
Location: South Bank Centre

Organization

Admin

Philharmonia Orchestra

Southbank Centre

Conductor

David Hill

Others

The Bach Choir

Orchestra

Singer

Mezzo-soprano

Jennifer Johnston

Mezzo-Soprano

Tenor

Daniel Norman

Baritone

Roderick Williams

Priest

The Bach Choir: The Dream of Gerontius

London

United Kingdom

Royal Festival Hall

The Bach Choir: The Dream of Gerontius: Cusp Williams, Roderick (+1 More)

Public

Cusp

The Dream of Gerontius

Approved

South Bank Centre

The Bach Choir and the Philharmonia Orchestra join forces for Elgar’s choral masterpiece.

Cardinal Newman’s poem The Dream of Gerontius tells the story of the end of an old man’s life and his soul’s subsequent journey towards God. The poem was a well-known and much-loved work in its own right by the time Elgar came to set it to music in 1900. From it he created his greatest choral work – if not the greatest by any English composer.

Writing for two choirs, orchestra, organ and soloists, Elgar composed music that seemed to come from the depths of his own soul. Acclaimed tenor Daniel Norman sings the moving title role, Jennifer Johnston sings the role of the Angel who supports him on his journey, and Roderick Williams sings the role of the Priest.

To open the evening, The Bach Choir has commissioned a new work from Roderick Williams. It acts as a prelude to Elgar’s work, considering what it is to wait alongside someone in their final moments. Williams is one of the country’s best-loved singers, chosen by King Charles III to perform at the Coronation. He frequently appears with The Bach Choir as a soloist, making him well placed to get the best out of this 200-strong ensemble.

This concert is part of David Hill’s 25th season as Musical Director of The Bach Choir. They and the Philharmonia Orchestra are regular partners, filling the Royal Festival Hall with their ‘electrifying… inspirational music making’ (Bachtrack).

English

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