Sussex Symphony Orchestra And Brighton Festival Chorus Join Forces
Published 1st Nov 2002 by Jonathan Chappell

Sussex Symphony Orchestra and Brighton Festival Chorus join forces to perform Elgar?s choral masterpiece ?The Dream of Gerontius?

TWO of Sussex?s best-loved musical institutions are to join forces on Saturday evening (2 November 2002) to perform Sir Edward Elgar?s most popular choral work, ?The Dream of Gerontius?, at St Peter?s Church, Brighton.

The oratorio, based on a poem by Cardinal John Newman, was composed by Elgar in a great rush for the opening of the 1900 Birmingham Triennial Festival, and was soon hailed as a masterpiece. It tells the story of a soul?s journey to heaven after death, and contains some of the composer?s most moving music.

This will be Brighton Festival Chorus?s last appearance in Brighton this year before undertaking engagements at the Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall On November 19 and December 9.

The Sussex Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its dynamic interpretations of large-scale works, and conductor Mark Andrew James is exhilarated by the opportunity of combining the orchestra?s forces with a chorus which enjoys international status.

?It is not every day that a conductor has the opportunity to gather such musical forces together to perform a work of such compelling beauty and grandeur,? he said.

Three eminent soloists will be taking part: Louise Armit (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Rees (tenor) and Ricardo Simonetti (baritone). All have appeared at Glyndebourne.

?The Dream of Gerontius? at St Peter?s Church, Brighton on Saturday 2 November starts at 7.30 pm and tickets costing ?10, ?8 or ?5 are available from the Dome Box Office on 01273 709709 or at the door.

Further information etc etc
Pix of orchestra, chorus, conductor and artistes are available from:

Jonathan Chappell
01323 642081
jc@jcstyx.com

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