‘This is the best of me’ wrote Elgar of his profoundly human setting of Cardinal Newman’s poem about the soul’s journey from life into death. The poem was well known when the composer set it to music in 1900. Chorus members revelled in bringing one of the greatest choral works alive by singing it from memory in this performance. “The heroes of the performance of The Dream of Gerontius were Brighton Festival Chorus. Singing from memory brought a bite and clarity to the performance which is rare these days... They are a choral ensemble of real quality”.
Brighton Festival. Mezzo-Soprano – Alice Coote, Tenor – Robert Murray, Bass – Matthew Rose
Brighton Festival. Mezzo-Soprano – Catherine Wyn-Rogers. Tenor – James Gilchrist. Baritone – Peter Sidhom.
Mezzo-Soprano – Louise Armit. Tenor – Andrew Rees. Baritone – Riccardo Simonetti.
Bath Festival. Mezzo-Soprano – Linda Finnie, Tenor – Keith Lewis, Baritone – David Wilson-Johnson
Welsh Proms. Mezzo Sopranos, Christine Cairns. Tenor – Dennis O’Neil, Baritone – Anthony Michaels-Moore.
RPO 40th Anniversary Season Contralto – Penelope Walker Tenor – Dennis O’Neil Baritone – Benjamin Luxon Collegium Musicum of London
Tribute to Elgar Mezzo Soprano – Sarah Walker Tenor – David Randall Baritone Benjamin Luxon Collegium Musicum of London
Brighton Festival Contralto- Helen Watts Tenor – Philip Langridge Bass – Michael Rippon