Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir to perform at St Mary's, Dorchester (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)
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Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir to perform at St Mary's, Dorchester
11:00am Thursday 26th April 2012 in Stage By Ruth Meech
THIS year sees Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, one of the top chamber choirs in the south of England, celebrate its 40th season.
One of the highlights of its anniversary season will be a concert entitled Spem in Alium: 40 Years – 40 Voices, which will be performed in St Mary’s Church, Dorchester on April 28 at 7.30pm.
The centrepiece of the concert will be a performance of one of the most famous and challenging works in the choral repertoire: Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis.
It was written in about 1570 for 40 individual voice parts, divided into eight choirs of five voices.
The 40 separate parts produce an amazingly rich and varied sound, exploiting the stereophonic effects of using eight choirs.
Choir spokesman Charles Cordy said: “This is a rare opportunity to hear a remarkable work that is seldom performed because of its technical difficulties.
“In order to perform Spem in Alium, the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir, which comprises only 31 members, has invited guests, including former members, to sing the remaining parts.
“The rest of the concert programme makes good use of this expanded choir, and includes other rarely heard pieces for multiple voices, ranging from the 15th to the 21st century.”
The choir has received high praise for its rich and well-rounded tone and for the excitement of its performances.
Conductor David Gostick said: “This concert is not to be missed. It offers a rare opportunity to hear music that few choirs are able to perform.
“St Mary’s Church is one of the Choir’s favourite venues, and its size and acoustics are ideal for large-scale works.”
Tickets cost £12, or £2 for under-18s and are available from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre in Antelope Walk and by calling 01305 267992, from the Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir’s box office on 01722 710511, from the choir at bschoir.org.uk or at the door.
