Latest News


  • Introducing............Alexandria Moon
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 10 Oct 2024
    In this second article about our upcoming performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle we introduce our mezzo-soprano soloist, Alexandria Moon.

    We are delighted that mezzo soprano Alexandria Moon will be singing with us on 9  November. The mezzo-soprano soloist is featured in several sections, including the Gloria and the Credo, but most prominently in the epic final movement, the Agnus Dei.

    Alexandria has a wide-ranging repertoire in opera, oratorio and secular works, and is a current member of the opera studio at the Royal College of Music in London. She has sung this work previously with Guildford Choral and Grantham Choral societies.

    She recently made her role debut as Lucretia from Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” in a new production with British Youth Opera at the Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe. She was mentored by Dame Sarah Connolly and her performance was described by critics as “mesmerising” …” with her warm mezzo, she’s tender and vulnerable, yet there’s a core of steel as she spits out the text like bullets.”

    Alexandria looks forward to her next role debut as ConcepciĆ³n in Ravel’s one-act comedy “L’heure espagnole” at the Royal College of Music this November.

    She says,” I'm an avid dog and cat lover and have two black cats of my own: Boog and Bear, who will be staying at home for my visit to Coventry. I’m thrilled to sing this wonderful music again. The Agnus Dei,  in particular, is very close to my heart, and used to be a bucket list solo of mine. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to sing this piece before. Every time it reminds me of how much singing means to me as it moves me very deeply. I hope our audience in Coventry will enjoy it as much as I do!”

     
  • Introducing......Rossini's Petite Messe Sollenelle
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 2 Oct 2024
    In this series of news items we'll be introducing the music from our next programme, along with the soloists and other musicians who will be taking part in the concert. We start with Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle.



     Luke Fitzgerald says......


     
    Why is Rossini’s Solemn Mass Petite? It certainly isn’t short, running for around 80   minutes. No, it’s petite because when it was written, Rossini needed just 15 people   to perform the music: 8 singers for the choir, four to sing the solo arias, (Rossini   called them his “cherubim”) two pianists and a harmonium player who also   conducted. There were only a similar number of people to hear the first performance   of the music.

    Its musical style combines much of the wit and sense of joy of the operas Rossini   wrote earlier in his career with church music styles in movements such as the   Sanctus. Overall it is an absolute joy to listen to and to perform.
     
    Our performance will be less petite than the premiere, as we have a choir of around   60 singers along with four wonderful soloists from the London Conservatoires.   These include the fabulous Tom Butler whom I’ve had the pleasure of performing  in Rossini’s La Cenerentola. Will I follow the example of Albert Lavignac, the 18 year old who led that first performance, and conduct from the harmonium?

     
    Buy your ticket here to find out.
  • Autumn Newsletter
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 12 Sep 2024
    Our latest newsletter has just been published
    Attachment:
  • Proms success
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 16 May 2024
    Proms success
    Our Proms concert proved very popular, with a good audience who were only too happy to join in with the singing of Auld Lang Syne as the concert drew to a close.

    Here are a few of the things people said about the night.

                    "I wish I could hear it all again."

                                    "Looks so colourful and energetic!!"

             "Just got home from this concert, what a joyous evening, well done chorus and Coventry and         Warwickshire youth orchestra." 
  • Good Friday Concert 2024
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 8 Apr 2024
    Our Good Friday concert took a different direction this year. In place of one of the large scale passions, we sang a programme of shorter pieces, each reflecting on the events of Holy Week. It was a challenge to learn music in so many different styles, but one that the chorus rose to. With smaller forces - just organ accompaniment for some of the music - we were able to present the music in a more intimate setting, with the audience closer to the performers than usual. 

            "That was a wonderful selection of music and beautifully sung."
  • Rome
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 4 Mar 2024
    In April 2023 we joined with our friends in the Parliament Choir to sing Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in Rome. Although the Pope was not able to attend himself, several senior Vatican clergy were present. Singing in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls was an exhilerating experience. You can see some pictures of the event here.


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