Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius at Hereford Cathedral, Hereford on Saturday 18th November 2017

Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius

Part of the Hereford Choral Society 2017-18 Season

Add to my Calendar 18-11-2017 19:30 18-11-2017 21:30 36 Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius Considered to be the composer’s masterpiece, Gerontius was commissioned for the 1900 Birmingham Triennial Festival. It is a setting of a long poem by the Roman Catholic Cardinal John Henry Newman, describing the progress of the soul of a profoundly devout man (‘Gerontius’ means ‘old man’) from his deathbed to his judgment before God and arrival in Purgatory, accompanied by his guardian angel, where he is offered the promise of everlasting glory. In addition to the rich scoring for a large orchestra, the work is full of drama for the chorus, who are required to switch from being snarling demons in one section to angelic voices in others. Although performed in alternate years at the Three Choirs Festival by the Festival Chorus, The Dream of Gerontius is more rarely performed by Hereford Choral Society, which has not sung the work since 2004. This year’s performance with the Hereford Sinfonia features soloists Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano) as the Angel, Paul Nilon (tenor) as Gerontius, and Bozidar Smiljanic (bass-baritone) in the roles of the Priest and the Angel of the Agony. It is conducted by Geraint Bowen. Mr Nilon was a last-minute replacement in the title role when Geraint Bowen conducted Gerontius at Hereford Three Choirs Festival in 2015,  and his performance was much admired.  Critic Roderic Dunnett wrote: ‘Paul Nilon … brought all the dramatic skills and plaintive appeal of his opera roles to the title role: thus Sanctus fortis gained an unusually pained, tragic demeanour, while much else yielded aching timbres, underscoring Gerontius’ Christ-recalling passion and emotional confusion’. Now he steps in again to replace Mark le Brocq. Catherine Wyn-Rogers is well known for her performances in the role of the Angel and last year featured in conductor Daniel Barenboim’s first recording of the work with the Berlin State Opera Chorus and Orchestra and RIAS Chamber Choir. Hereford Cathedral, Hereford DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Hereford Cathedral
Cathedral Close
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 2NG
England

Saturday 18th November 2017
7:30 PM

Programme

Edward Elgar – The Dream of Gerontius, Op.38

Performers

Catherine Wyn-Rogers – mezzo-soprano
Paul Nilon – Tenor
Bozidar Smiljanic – Bass
Geraint Bowen – Conductor

Hereford Choral Society

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Programme Note

Considered to be the composer’s masterpiece, Gerontius was commissioned for the 1900 Birmingham Triennial Festival. It is a setting of a long poem by the Roman Catholic Cardinal John Henry Newman, describing the progress of the soul of a profoundly devout man (‘Gerontius’ means ‘old man’) from his deathbed to his judgment before God and arrival in Purgatory, accompanied by his guardian angel, where he is offered the promise of everlasting glory.

In addition to the rich scoring for a large orchestra, the work is full of drama for the chorus, who are required to switch from being snarling demons in one section to angelic voices in others.

Although performed in alternate years at the Three Choirs Festival by the Festival Chorus, The Dream of Gerontius is more rarely performed by Hereford Choral Society, which has not sung the work since 2004. This year’s performance with the Hereford Sinfonia features soloists Catherine Wyn-Rogers (mezzo-soprano) as the Angel, Paul Nilon (tenor) as Gerontius, and Bozidar Smiljanic (bass-baritone) in the roles of the Priest and the Angel of the Agony. It is conducted by Geraint Bowen.

Mr Nilon was a last-minute replacement in the title role when Geraint Bowen conducted Gerontius at Hereford Three Choirs Festival in 2015, and his performance was much admired. Critic Roderic Dunnett wrote: ‘Paul Nilon … brought all the dramatic skills and plaintive appeal of his opera roles to the title role: thus Sanctus fortis gained an unusually pained, tragic demeanour, while much else yielded aching timbres, underscoring Gerontius’ Christ-recalling passion and emotional confusion’. Now he steps in again to replace Mark le Brocq.

Catherine Wyn-Rogers is well known for her performances in the role of the Angel and last year featured in conductor Daniel Barenboim’s first recording of the work with the Berlin State Opera Chorus and Orchestra and RIAS Chamber Choir.

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