Upcoming concerts
Concerts and Reviews
The Verdi Requiem
Our next concert will be held in Ely Cathedral, Ely on Saturday 29th March 2025 at 7:30 pm when we will sing The Verdi Requiem.
Giuseppe Verdi devoted his career to the composition of operas, but following the death in May 1873 of the Italian writer and humanist Alessandro Manzoni, whom Verdi had admired all his life, he resolved to write a Requiem in his memory.
It was given its first performance in the church of San Marco in Milan on the first anniversary of Manzoni’s death. With Verdi’s skill in composing sensational music to portray the twists and turns of romantic operatic stories, it is no surprise that his setting of the Requiem Mass text brings a fully-charged emotional roller-coaster from the penitential prayers for peace for the soul of the deceased, to the stormy drama of the day of judgement in Dies Irae.
In order to give the performance the necessary full choral impact, Andrew Parnell has invited Grantham Choral Society to join forces with Ely Choral Society. In addition, the performance will be accompanied by Wymondham Symphony Orchestra, whom Andrew has directed since 2003. This will be an unmissable musical experience in the awe-inspiring architecture of Ely Cathedral.
The soloists will be Tara Bungard soprano, Cassandra Manning mezzo-soprano, Thomas Elwin tenor, and Alastair Miles bass.
Conducted by Andrew Parnell
Tickets: £28, £22, £15 and £5 for U18s from the cathedral box office or at www.elycathedral.org/events.
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Review of Ely Choral Society performance in St Mary’s Church, Ely on 13th July 2024
Ely Choral Society, Andrew Parnell (conductor), Glen Dempsey (organist) and Ely Youth Choir rose to the occasion again and gave a splendid concert in St Mary’s Church Ely on Saturday July 13.
While the programme contained music for a sacred place, therefore mostly on religious themes, the pieces were short and among some of the most effective and popular. I particularly liked Locus iste by Bruckner, How Lovely are they Dwellings by Brahms, the Ave Marias especially the one by Lindley and Cantique de Jean Racine by Faure.
Ely Youth Choir was the highlight of the second half with their beautiful performance of All things Bright and Beautiful by Sir John Rutter. Their performance of the first Ave Maria by Lindley was exceptional.
Ely Choral Society excelled with a gorgeous bass line featured in the Locus iste, and under Andrew Parnell’s expertise, the choir sang with precision, and varied dynamics that created exciting climaxes. It was very expressive even with single words, bringing the meaning of the works alive.
Glen Dempsey accompanied supportively when needed, for much of the music was unaccompanied. He also added variety to the programme by playing two organ solos which were admirable: a triumphant Imperial March by Elgar and a cohesive, sustained Fugue in A minor by Brahms.
Ely Youth Choir joined in with a number of items and when everyone performed the final Zadok the Priest by Handel, the church was filled with glorious sound – an excellent finale for a fine concert. The encore: The Long Day Closes by Sullivan, was of a different character and most fitting for the last item of the evening. It was languid and soothing, filled with charming sustained harmonies.
This was indeed a wonderful concert. Ely Choral Society may be heard again at their next concert on Saturday October 26th at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Ely where they will be performing Chichester Psalms by Bernstein and the Requiem by Rutter.
Rosemary Westwell