CHOIR: SPLENDOURS OF THE BAROQUE
Saturday 15 March 2025, 7.30pm
Chester Cathedral
Handel: Dixit Dominus
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Trumpets
Bach: Magnificat
Georgie Malcolm soprano
Georgia Ellis soprano
Jess Conway mezzo soprano
Christopher Littlewood tenor
Billy Kyle bass
Julie Baker, Peter Athans trumpets
Chester Music Society Choir
Liverpool Sinfonia
Graham Jordan Ellis conductor
tickets, priced at £30 (nave), £25 (West Steps) and £15 (side aisles).
CLICK HERE to read more about ticketing
CLICK HERE to go direct to the online booking page
CHOIR: ROSSINI: PETITE MESSE SOLENELLE
Saturday 17 May 2025, 7.30pm
Chester Cathedral
Heather Buckmaster soprano
Joyce Tindsley mezzo-soprano
Joseph Buckmaster tenor
Armand Rabot bass
Chester Music Society Choir
Graham Eccles Piano
Jon Barton harmonium
Graham Jordan Ellis conductor
tickets, priced at £30 (nave), £25 (West Steps) and £15 (side aisles).
CLICK HERE to read more about ticketing
CLICK HERE to go direct to the online booking page
The Petite messe Solenelle is structured in several extended movements in the tradition of the missa solemnis, but the composer labelled it petite with a grain of irony. He wrote on the last page of the autograph manuscript
Dear Lord, here it is finished, this poor little mass. Have I just written sacred music, or rather, sacrilegious music? I was born for opera buffa, as you well know. Not much technique, a little bit of heart, that's all. Blessings to you and grant me Paradise.
The unusual scoring for voices, piano and harmonium is in the Neapolitan harpsichord tradition of the 18th century. Rossini specified, on the second page of his manuscript, twelve singers in all, noting on the title page: "Twelve singers of three sexes, men, women and castrati will suffice for its execution: that is, eight for the choir, four soloists, in all twelve cherubim".
AND BEYOND 2024-25. . .
Here is a sneak preview of the Choir's plans beyond the current season
Beyond 22 November 2025 all dates are still provisional
22 November 2025 French Masterpieces of the 20th Century
Poulenc Gloria
Ravel Ma Mère L’oye
Duruflé Requiem
December 2025 Christmas Crackers
March 2026 Beethoven Missa Solemnis
May 2026 Favourite Sacred Choruses
November 2026 Walton Belshazzar’s Feast
December 2026 Christmas Crackers
March 2027 Dvorak Stabat Mater