Isle of Man Choral Society is in its final weeks of rehearsals for its annual concert which is again being held at the Royal Hall, Villa Marina, Douglas on 2nd April 2017 commencing at 2.30pm.
Three works will be performed under the baton of Julian Power (Director of Music), Mendelssohn’s Second Symphony – Hymn of Praise, Rutter’s Gloria, and Mascagni’s Easter Hymn from his well-known opera Cavalleria Rusticana.
As in previous concerts the Isle of Man Choral Society is privileged to be singing with the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra which too has a full programme of concerts in 2017 and Isle of Man Choral Society is grateful to the orchestra led by Tom Field and under its Director of Music Maurice Powell, for its continuing support. Mascagni’s Easter Hymn is written for two choirs so Julian has arranged with Jonathan King for Meadowside Choral to sing that part from the circle next to the stage. The soloists for the concert are Karen Elliott (soprano), Mandy Griffin (mezzo-soprano) and Richard Pollock (tenor) who have all performed several times before with Isle of Man Choral Society.
This is a special year for Isle of Man Choral Society and more particularly for its Director of Music Julian Power who has now been at the helm of this ship for ten years since taking over from the late Pam Duchars. At a recent rehearsal held at St Ninian’s School, Douglas - the “new home” for Isle of Man Choral Society, Charlie Fargher MBE, chairman of the Society presented Julian with a conductor’s score of the Verdi Requiem. This work was the first produced by Julian on taking over in 2007. Pictured is Julian [left] receiving the score from Charlie Fargher MBE.
Another first this year is that Maurice Powell will conduct his Isle of Man Symphony for the first part of the Mendelssohn Second Symphony before Julian Power takes over to conduct the choir for The Hymn of Praise “Lobgesang” which forms the second part of Felix Mendelssohn’s equivalent of Beethoven’s Ninth, his “Choral” Symphony.
To end the concert Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra will play Mascagni’s Intermezzo under the baton of its Musical Director Maurice Powell. Truly a concert not to be missed.
The concert is again generously sponsored by Tower Insurance and the concert net profit will this year go to Manx Wildlife Trust.
Tickets are ?13.00 for adults and ?3.00 for children and students (including a 2% booking charge) can be obtained at the Box Office, Villa Marina, Douglas or telephone 600555 or via the website www.villagaiety.com.
For further details please go to the Isle of Man Choral Society website www.choral.im.
