3 November 2019

Requiem

Fauré

Sung close to Remembrance Day in November 2019 the performance of Faure’s Requiem was an appropriate choice with its serene, elevating, and comforting music. This was the first of an annual series of concerts at St John’s Smith Square

Saint John's, Smith Square, London | James Morgan

3 November 2019

Invocations and Last Word

Tavener

The Chorus split into four choirs, each placed in the four corners of the church for the European premier, followed by the London premier, of a late work by the renowned composer. The result was a stunning surround sound experience of complex rhythms and antiphonal singing, a rare opportunity for an audience in today’s concert venues.

Saint John's, Smith Square, London | James Morgan

26 May 2019

A Child of Our Time

Tippett

Michael Tippett’s celebrated British wartime oratorio A Child of Our Time, with its subtly powerful pacifist’s outcry against racism, fascism, bigotry and xenophiobia has moved Chorus members and their audiences on the many occasions they have performed this compelling work. But this particular performance at such a febrile time in home and European politics, was potently relevant. “Brighton Festival Chorus were on absolute top form delivering Tippet’s A Child of Our Time with an air of confidence and sensitivity”

Dome Concert Hall, Brighton | Roderick Cox

12 May 2018

War Requiem

Britten

One of the greatest choral works of the twentieth century, Britten’s War Requiem was written for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962. The Chorus has sung this monumental work 16 times, most notably in Diksmuide in Belgium on Armistice Day in 1988 – a performance never forgotten by those taking part for the resonance with the nearby trench warfare and destruction of the countryside. The most recent performance was part of the celebrations of the Chorus’ 50th anniversary, notable for the vivid connection with the audience being sung without a score.

Coventry Cathedral, Coventry

20 July 2019

Spem In Alium

Tallis

A performance of Tallis’ masterpiece Spem in Alium, is always a special occasion. Scored for 40 individual parts, divided into eight choirs, this monumental choral achievement is rightly regarded as one of the treasures of Elizabethan English music. As each part enters in turn, the audience is gradually drawn into a magical, shimmering sequence of constantly shifting tone colours which was fully appreciated in this sell out live performance.

All Saints Church, Hove | James Morgan

22 May 2016

The Dream of Gerontius

Elgar

‘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”.

Dome Concert Hall, Brighton

3 April 2015

St. John Passion

Bach

“Brighton Festival Chorus are always impressive and for their 500th performance they pulled out all the stops performing the complex score of Bach’s St John Passion from memory. It is in performances of this calibre that one sees why the Brighton Festival Chorus has such an impressive international reputation and for that I salute them”

Dome Concert Hall, Brighton

21-23 May, 2021

Under the WildWood Tree

A twilight, nature-themed woodland walk through Same Sky’s light sculptures and with live choral music from Brighton Festival Chorus performing choral works of translucent beauty and hypnotic power: Eric Whitacre’s Sleep and Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song.  

Stanmer Park | James Morgan