Young Soloists Shine with Newbury Chamber Choir Tonight

The Newbury Chamber Choir will present a concert featuring young soloists from the Senior Choir of St Bart’s School tonight, March 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM. The event will take place at the historic St John’s Church in Newbury and will showcase a small orchestra alongside two talented soprano soloists, Milly Forrest and Hannah Dienes-Williams.

Celebrating Baroque Music

The highlight of the evening will be a performance of the renowned Vivaldi Gloria, a piece that gained prominence after its revival in 1939. Now regarded as a masterpiece of Baroque music, it encapsulates themes of joy and praise. Under the direction of Ben de Souza, the choir and orchestra will bring this celebrated work to life.

In addition to Vivaldi, Milly Forrest will perform Handel’s Gloria, a composition believed to have been created around 1707. This piece lay forgotten for many years until it was rediscovered in the library of the Royal Academy of Music and correctly attributed to Handel in 2001. The manuscript, which is not in Handel’s handwriting, is part of a collection once owned by the singer William Savage (1720-1789). Musicologist Hans Joachim Marx, from the University of Hamburg, noted the piece’s complexity, stating, “Perhaps not too many sopranos will be able to perform this piece.”

Contemporary and Traditional Carols

The concert will also include a selection of contemporary carols, some of which will be presented to the audience for the first time. These contemporary pieces will complement the classic works and provide a diverse musical experience for attendees.

Tickets for the concert are priced at £15, and entry is free for individuals under 18 years old. They can be purchased online at newburychamberchoir.org or at the door on the evening of the performance.

This concert promises to be an enriching evening celebrating both Baroque masterpieces and new compositions, showcasing the talent of young musicians in a beautiful setting.