Choir's bicentenary salute to composer
Posted on 11 June 2009
Coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the composer’s birth, the Choir will replicate the 250-strong choral ensemble which performed the oratorio, conducted by Mendelssohn himself, in Birmingham in 1847.
The intense and dramatic setting depicts a broad range of emotions
Dr Peter Seymour
The Choir, which is made up of University staff and students and members from the wider community in the York area, will be accompanied by the University Symphony Orchestra. The soloists are Rachel Nicholls (soprano), Sally Bruce-Payne (alto), Jason Darnell (tenor) and Russell Smythe (baritone) and the conductor is the Choir’s Musical Director Peter Seymour. Rachel Nicholls, Jason Darnell and Peter Seymour are University of York alumni.
Peter Seymour, who is a senior lecturer in the University’s Department of Music, said: “Elijah has always been a very popular piece with singers, orchestral players and audiences. The intense and dramatic setting depicts a broad range of emotions and Mendelssohn's vivid setting makes huge demands on the performers.
“At the same time he offers rich rewards; he is a composer who understands the human voice - where it works at its best and how it conveys text and emotion. The orchestral writing is similarly rewarding with beautiful woodwind solos, sonorous brass and brilliant string writing.”
The concert which starts at 7.30pm on 24 June is sponsored by Denison Till and UPP (University Partnerships Programme).
Tickets front Nave £17 (£16); rear Nave £15 (£14); unreserved side aisles £8 (£7); students £3; accompanied under-16s free.
Box Office open Monday to Friday 1pm-3pm. Tel. 01903 432439. Email: boxoffice@york.ac.uk
Online booking: www.YorkConcerts.co.uk
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- More about Denison Till at www.denisontill.com/
- More about UPP at www.upp-ltd.com/
- The University Choir, established in 1965, includes a substantial number of music students, students from other academic departments, members of academic staff, and a significant number of members from York and the surrounding area. The Choir is supported by the University’s Music Department, and the Musical Director is Dr Peter Seymour.
- The Choir aims to make a major contribution to the cultural life of the City and University and is fortunate in being able to sing with leading soloists of national and international reputation and enjoy the accompaniment of professional, locally-based orchestras such as the Northern Sinfonia, English Northern Philharmonia, and Yorkshire Baroque Soloists, as well as the University’s own Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.