ON THURSDAY June 10, the RTE Concert Orchestra will join Galway Baroque Singers for their annual concert in Leisureland at 8pm. This year’s programme is Durufle’s ‘Requiem’ and Puccini’s ‘Messa di Gloria’ that should prove very popular with the audience as it is full of contrasts, darkness and light, pathos and thrilling, exhilarating passages.
Durufle’s deeply moving ‘Requiem’ was written in memory of his father and it is suffused with images of rest and peace rather than the visions of hell and damnation of other Requiems. He created a perfect gem of sacred music, a piece of sublime beauty that combines the purity of Gregorian chant with lush, gorgeous, harmonies.
The young Puccini’s “Messa di Gloria” shows the drama and expressiveness of the operas he went on to compose. The Gloria in particular is a breathtaking tour de force. The programme also includes Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin and Puccini’s ‘Preludio Sinfonico.’
Two leading Irish soloists will join the choir on this occasion; Sharon Carty, mezzo soprano, and John Molloy, bass baritone, who sang with the choir in an all Mozart concert some years ago. The singers are particularly pleased to welcome the internationally renowned Icelandic tenor, Gardar Thor Cortes, (better known as Cortes ) and are honoured to share the stage with him.
Musical director Audrey Corbett has been putting the choir through its paces for the last few months and a wonderful evening of music is promised. Proinnsias O’Duinn will conduct the combined forces once again.
Tickets priced at €22 and €15 (concession ) are on sale at Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, The Cornstore, Middle St, telephone 091-561766 or from choir members.
