Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610
Vespers of 1610 (Vespro della Beata Vergine 1610)
by Claudio Monteverdi (1567 - 1643)
Alison Rose, soprano
Jennifer Stratford, soprano
Thomas Elwin, tenor
Samuel Furness, tenor
Gareth John, bass
Alistair Ollerenshaw, bass
Wokingham Choral Society
Conductor: Alexander Chaplin
The glory of 17th century Venice will be brought to our audience at our next concert, as we continue to celebrate our Diamond Jubilee season. WCS joins forces with an outstanding team of young soloists from the Royal Academy of Music, and period instrument ensemble Charivari Agréable Simfonie (described by The Observer as 'one of the classiest baroque bands') to present Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610.
One of the most significant works in the entire history of music, the Vespers are comprised of virtuosic motets and fiery choruses; listening to them is not so much a performance, but more an experience of a sound-world as sumptuous and magical as the building where the Vespers were first heard - the Basilica of St Mark, Venice (pictured above).
Saturday 31st March, 2012 at 7.30pm
with a free pre-concert talk at 6.30pm.
Great Hall, University of Reading,
London Road Campus, Reading RG1 5AQ
How to get there.
Tickets: £16 (£10 under 18s) available online from www.wegottickets.com (booking fee applies) or from Wokingham Information Centre in the Town Hall; Newbury Building Society, Wokingham; Bookends, Wokingham or by email or from WCS choir members.
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Wokingham Choral Society Chamber Choir performs at wedding ceremonies or receptions, parties or any other special event. We can help to select suitable works to enhance that special occasion.
It depends on the number of singers and your choice of music, but the suggested donation can be as little as £200.
Get more information about the WCS Chamber Choir or send us an email.
Staging concerts involves a big team effort and you can join the team even if you don't sing in the choir. If you enjoy our concerts, can help to support our activities, and would like a closer relationship with WCS, we invite you to join one of our support schemes for the 2011-12 season.
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Wokingham Choral Academy was launched in September, 2010. It
is a non-auditioned, mixed, training choir for anyone
over 18 years who wants to start singing from scratch,
keep on learning to sing or revisit existing singing
skills. It is limited to approximately 110 singers.
The Academy has a few vacancies and if you would like to
join please email the Academy membership secretary
Maggie Pye.
Visit the Academy website by clicking 'Academy' in the
menu at the top of this page or click
www.wokingham-choral-academy.org.uk.
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The Armed Man "Conductor Alexander Chaplin coaxed out of the choir and orchestra the different moods of the music to perfection. The choir sang throughout with a purity of tone and clarity of diction that was truly memorable."
Brahms'
German Requiem "Wokingham Choral Society's performance at this concert was impressive in their
understanding and command of the music with its many variations in sentiment and swift changes of mood.
The final Chorus was simply glorious."
Child in a Manger "....providing a platform for the choir to display its impressive musicality, including solo parts by members of the choir during In dulci jubilo."
Creation "The opening choruses sparkled with joy: "Awake the harp..." was grand, for example. Later on, "Achieved is the glorious work..." was clear and well balanced, rising and falling neatly. "Hail! Bounteous Lord!" was simply superb."
Great Choral Classics "Back on stage the Society cast off its classical clothing to give polished performances of songs by Jerome Kern and George Shearing, ending with an exhilarating medley from Loewe's My Fair Lady."
Tippett and Elgar "..... in the final bars Spooner brought out
Elgar's feelings of anger and helplessness. It was an impressive, gripping performance. The second part of the
concert was a very powerful performance of Tippett's A Child of our Time"
Would you like to join our enthusiastic, hard-working choir?
Rehearsals take place in the School Hall of The Emmbrook School, Emmbrook Road, Wokingham RG41 1JP from 7.30pm to 9.45pm each Thursday. How to get there
You are welcome to join one or two rehearsals before making any decisions.
Read more information or send an email to the Membership Secretary, Katharina Kreissig or call her on 0118 937 1209.
- Rehearsal Schedule
- Rehearsal Notes
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- Rehearsal recordings links
- Information from the Committee
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Dates for your diary:
Saturday 31st March, 2012
Spring Concert: Great Hall, University of Reading
Saturday 16th June, 2012
WCS Diamond Jubilee Prom
(with Wokingham Choral Academy)
All Saints' Church, Wokingham
See more details of WCS 2011-2012 Programme.
Making Music: the National
Federation of Music Societies
www.makingmusic.org.uk.
More Arts: Promoting arts
events in Wokingham
www.morearts.org.uk.
Wokingham Borough Council
www.wokingham.gov.uk.