FRANCE is meeting England in a musical Entente Cordiale in Dorset.

Briantspuddle Singers, with conductor Rob Dishington and organist Alex Davies, will bring the sound of great Gothic cathedrals to St Mary's Dorchester, with a spectacular concert of English and French 'Music for a Celebration.'

The concert is on Saturday, June 27 at 7.30pm.

French composer Charles-Marie Widor is perhaps best known for his exuberantly cascading organ Toccata, celebrating the stupendous sound of the organ as orchestral instrument.

However the Mass op 36 (arranged here for four-part choir and organ) is equally rich in colour, the two pieces forming a strong French reply to Handel's theatrically joyous Coronation Anthems including Zadok the Priest.

Celebrating God in nature, the poem For the Beauty of The Earth was inspired by the lush Somerset landscape.

Philip Stopford's lyrical English setting contrasts with Charpentier's 17th century setting of Psalm 109 - Dixit Dominus, whose words celebrate God's support during adversity, reflected by rhythms and notation which buttress each other, creating uplifting harmony.

This rousing match between two musical nations will be played at St Mary's Dorchester on June 27th at 7-30pm.

Tickets cost £10 and are available on the door or by calling 01929 554055.