2015 Concerts

Handel Messiah

Saturday 7 March 2015

7.00 pm

(note earlier than usual start time)

The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds

Corinne Hart soprano

Valerie Reid mezzo-soprano

Christopher Turner tenor

Graeme Danby bass

Bury Bach Choir

Suffolk Baroque Players 

Philip Reed conductor

Come and enjoy the energy and variety of Handel’s best known work, performed by the Bury Bach Choir in the Apex, the town’s superb new concert hall. If you’ve not heard Messiah before, prepare to be enthralled by the most famous oratorio in the English language. This is musical story-telling of the very highest quality, full of uplifting tunes, with a remarkable variety of pace guaranteed to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Featuring the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and many other famous numbers.

With top flight soloists and the superb Suffolk Baroque Players, this promises to be a performance to remember. Don’t miss it!

Tickets £23, £19.50 and £14 (all seats reserved)

Booking opens 8 September 2014

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 7 February 2015

Britten War Requiem

Saturday 16 May 2015

7.30 pm

(no interval)

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds

Janis Kelly soprano

Nicky Spence tenor

Marcus Farnsworth baritone

St Edmundsbury Cathedral Boys’ Choir

James Thomas conductor

London Graduate Orchestra

Murray Hipkin conductor

Bury Bach Choir

North London Chorus       

Prometheus Orchestra

Philip Reed conductor                       

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of the destruction of Coventry’s 14th century cathedral, this performance of Britten’s pacifist masterpiece will be given by the Bury Bach Choir and the North London Chorus, together with the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Boys Choir. First performed at the festival to mark the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral in 1962, this huge work is extremely moving for performers and audience alike as the traditional Latin mass, interspersed with settings of powerful poems by Wilfred Owen, draw a telling picture of the waste and futility of war.

The immense musical forces for this evening’s performance are divided into three groups that alternate and interact throughout the piece. The choir and soprano soloist, assisted at times by the boys’ choir at a distance, give us the Latin text; whilst the tenor and baritone soloists bring us Owen’s poems. Not until the final number do all come together for the spine tingling finale.

Due to the huge resources required to stage the War Requiem, this masterly work is not often performed in Bury St Edmunds. You are advised to book your tickets early.

Tickets £25 and £20 (reserved), and £14 (unreserved)

Booking opens 2 March 2015

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 18 April 2015

Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle

Saturday 14 November 2015

7.30 pm

(ends 9.10 pm approximately)

St Mary's Church, Bury St Edmunds

Rossini   Petite Messe Solennelle

Fae Evelyn soprano

Valerie Reid mezzo-soprano

Robert Murray tenor

Graeme Danby bass

James Recknell piano

Christopher Moore harmonium

Bury Bach Choir

Philip Reed conductor

This concert is devoted to Rossini’s last great work, the Petite Messe Solennelle. In the first half of the nineteenth century, Rossini was widely considered to be Europe’s most famous and celebrated composer. Today his reputation rests primarily on his comic operas, notably the superb Barber of Seville and the ever popular overture to William Tell, as well as on this evening’s work, hailed by many as his most finely-crafted achievement.

The title of the Petite Messe Solennelle is famously misleading: it’s neither small nor solemn! The work is unmistakably operatic in style, full of passion, drama and poignancy. The music ranges from hushed intensity to boisterous high spirits, and abounds in the memorable tunes and rhythmic vitality for which Rossini became justly famous. Though based on the liturgy of the mass, this is a work not of profound religious insight, but rather one that is a delightful, life-enhancing musical experience.

We look forward to providing you with a richly melodious and highly entertaining evening.

Booking opens 7 September 2015

Tickets £20 (reserved) and £14 (unreserved)

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 17 October 2015

A Christmas Celebration

Saturday 19 December 2015

7.30pm

(ends 9.00pm approximately)

The Church of St Peter and St Paul, Lavenham

Valerie Reid mezzo-soprano

Graeme Danby bass

Jill Burrows reader

James Recknell organ/piano

Bury Bach Choir

Philip Reed conductor

Get Christmas off to a joyful start by joining us for a feast of Christmas music in the beautiful parish church at Lavenham. This concert is always a highlight of the Christmas season! We will be singing a variety of seasonal music, mixing the familiar with some less known pieces, and including both new works and a series of Christmas readings.

We are delighted that this year our co-Presidents Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid – both distinguished opera singers with international careers – will be performing with us. It’ll be a great evening!

Bring the family and join in with your favourite carols before enjoying mince pies and mulled wine.

Booking opens 7 September 2015

Tickets £12 (all unreserved), under 21's free

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 21 November 2015