THREE of the UK’s most highly acclaimed classical singers will perform alongside Chester’s Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral.
The ambitious collaboration which promises to be a highlight of the Chester concert season, will see international acclaimed guest soloists Tenor Joshua Ellicott, Mezzo Soprano Kathryn Rudge, Bass James Platt joining Chester Bach Singers and Chester Philharmonic Orchestra along with Cantiones Choir from Oswestry, to stage Edward Elgar's iconic ‘Dream of Gerontius’ at the Cathedral on Saturday, March 2 at 7.30pm.
The performance will be conducted by renowned Shropshire based conductor and composer Martin Bussey.
Born in Manchester, the British tenor Joshua Ellicott kick started his career in 2006 by winning the majority of the prizes at the prestigious International Vocal Concours in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
Mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge from Liverpool has been named as The Times ‘Rising Star of Classical Music and ‘One of Britain’s brightest young mezzos’ (What’s On Stage). Kathryn was a BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist (2015-17), English National Opera (ENO) Harewood Artist, YCAT Artist and she is an Associate Member of the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied voice with Susan Roper (2004-11) and Junior RNCM (2002-04).
Kathryn made her BBC Proms debut in 2016 in Rossini’s ‘Petite Messe Solennelle’ at Old Royal Naval Chapel in Greenwich. She returned to the Proms in 2019 performing Mozart’s ‘Requiem’ at Royal Albert Hall with BBC NOW conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann (BBC4).
British bass James Platt studied at the Royal Academy of Music and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He was a member of the Jette Parker Young Artists Programme at the Royal Opera House. He was both a finalist in the GSMD’s Gold Medal Competition and was awarded the Silver Medal by the Worshipful Company of Musicians. He also won the Richard Van Allan Prize and the Independent Opera Scholarship.
Recent engagements include King of Egypt in ‘Aida’ (Royal Opera House), Father Trulove in ‘The Rake’s Progress’ (Maggio Musicale Fiorentino) and Farář and Jezevec in ‘The Cunning Little Vixen’ (Omroep Muziek).
Composed by Elgar in 1900, ‘The Dream of Gerontius’ is a work for voices and orchestra which sets the text of the poem by Cardinal John Henry Newman to music. It relates the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and settling into Purgatory. Elgar disapproved of the use of the term "oratorio" for the work although his wishes are not always followed. Formed in two parts each of which are made up of several distinct sections, the piece is widely regarded as Elgar's finest choral work, and some consider it his masterpiece. It is widely performed by Choral groups and has long been regarded an essential part of any classical choir's repertoire along with Handel's ‘Messiah’ and Mendelssohn's ‘Elijah’.
Full details of 'The Dream of Gerontius' can be found at www.chestercathedral.com where tickets can be booked online. Tickets can also be booked in person at Chester Cathedral.
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