Galway Baroque Singers (GBS ), under the direction of Audrey Corbett are delighted to be joining with Dun Laoghaire Choral Society (DLCS ) and the renowned conductor, David Brophy for the seco nd concert in their exciting Choral Fusion concert series.
In their inaugural Choral Fusion adventure last November, both choirs performed one of Handel’s magnificent oratorios, Solomon. In the forthcoming concerts on March 4 (St. Anne’s Church, Dublin ) and at 8 pm on March 11 (Galway Cathedral ), the choirs will perform works by two wonderful baroque composers, Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687 ) and Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695 ).
Lully is regarded as one of the great masters of the French Baroque style. His Te Deum, which is considered his best known and most successful sacred work was first performed at Fontainebleau near Paris on 9th September, 1677, will be one of two pieces from this composer performed by the choirs. The second work, Lully’s Miserere Mei Deus, is also in double-choir format, with strings divided into six parts, and is a real treat.
Henry Purcell is regarded as one of the greatest English composers and a master of a uniquely English style of Baroque music. Purcell’s music and harmonies have influenced musicians of all genres through the ages. Pete Townsend of the rock group The Who acknowledges the influence of Purcell’s harmonies on tracks such as ‘Pinball Wizard’. GBS and DLCS will perform Purcell’s beautiful My Heart is Inditing, an eight-part choral work with four-part strings and eight soloists, which was composed for the coronation of King James II on April 23, 1685.
In this concert, GBS and DLCS will again be joined by the exciting young orchestra, the Fishamble Sinfonia and some of Ireland’s top young soloists, under the very able baton of David Brophy.
History has it that Lully died after his foot became infected after he conducted a performance of the Te Deum with a staff to celebrate the recovery of King Louis XIV from illness! While the choirs and their conductor are not promising any excitement of that nature at their concerts, the audience will be treated to a wonderful and uplifting musical feast!
Tickets (€20; €15 for students ) for the Galway concert are available in advance from Charlie Byrne’s Bookstore, Middle Street, Galway.
