GLORIOUS SINGING AT ST MARY’S

After their summer break, Halesworth Festival Voices have plunged back into rehearsals for their performance in the town’s Arts Festival on Saturday 17th October at 7.30 pm.

This will be the Voices’ third concert since their formation only a year ago, and it marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Joseph Haydn. It involves far more orchestral musicians and soloists than the previous two concerts, and like them it is certain to be a full house.

You might be lucky enough to buy a ticket at the door, but the Festival has experienced bumper ticket sales for all events this year, and it would be wiser to call at the Festival Box Office on the 2nd floor of The Cut, or telephone 01986 874264.

Tickets cost £13.50. As usual seating is unreserved, so first comers get the best choice of where to sit. And of course, bring a cushion for maximum enjoyment!

The programme’s choral offerings are two of Haydn’s best known works, the Te Deum and the Nelson Mass, and having welcomed a number of new and accomplished singers to the ranks, the Voices are looking forward to joining their glorious sounds with the artistry of East Anglia’s finest orchestral players.

The concert is again conducted by Musical Director, Ian Humphris, and thanks to his long experience and important connections in British vocal music, he has secured as soloists four young singers from the elite group of students sanctioned by the Royal Academy of Music to appear as soloists with financial backing from the Josephine Baker Trust.

The soloist in Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto is Ray Simmons. Ray is a former principal trumpet with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and he also led the symphonic brass sections of the orchestras of Bournemouth and Stavanger. He has held teaching professorships in this country and in Norway, and additionally is an outstanding jazz trumpeter. Ray has been resident for several years now in Uggeshall and is one of an increasing number of professional players and singers who have found their way to East Anglia, and find it very much to their musical liking.

For those who also like plenty of fun with their music, Rosie Ashe offers entertainment of a different kind at The Cut on Sunday 11th October. ‘The Killer Soprano’ has filled the West End theatres with her roller-coaster ride through the great songwriters and great shows. Rosie shot to fame in the role of the operatic soprano in the original production of Phantom of the Opera. A wonderful voice and a saucy and irresistible musical treat.

For more information ring: Maggie Pepper on 01986 874900 or Dorothy Frost on 01986 873202.