We are delighted to announce that the New Zealand mezzo-soprano, Wendy Dawn Thompson, winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Award, who thrilled the audience with her performance in the final of this years ‘Cardiff Singer of the World’ Competition, will join Harlow Chorus and the Brandenburg Symphony Orchestra(Leader: Julian Leaper) in a performance of Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’ on Sunday 17^th July at 7.30pm at Thaxted Church. The concert was inspired by ‘Sea Britain 2005’ – a year-long national and regional festival of events exploring Britain’s links with the sea, including the commemoration of Nelson’s victory and death in action at the Battle of Trafalgar.

The concert opens with the stirring anthem by Parry ‘I was Glad’, composed for the coronation of King George V; a piece that never fails to impact on choir and audience alike. It is regularly performed on State occasions and often finds its way into concert programmes such as this, since it is one of the most joyous, exuberant and popular English anthems ever written. Elgar’s ‘Sea Pictures’, which follows is a collection of five poems distinct in themselves, the most famous of which is ‘Where Corals Lie’ and the song-cycle remains one of the most popular of Elgar’s works.

The second half of the evening is devoted to one work: ‘A Sea Symphony’ by that great English composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams. This magnificent choral composition is a setting of poems by the American poet Walt Whitman. The work is a voyage of reflection on man, nature and the restless spirit typified by the sailor, the music mirroring the words in stirring climaxes and wonderful harmonies. The choir is joined in this piece by two excellent soloists: Lynda Russell (soprano), who has sung in many of the world’s leading opera houses, including our own Glyndebourne and Covent Garden and has also sung with all the major British orchestras and William Berger (baritone), who is currently a member of English National Opera’s Young Singers Programme and whose future engagements include his Wigmore Hall debut as well as performing in operas and oratorios in London and abroad.

The ensemble is conducted by the Musical Director of Harlow Chorus, Sarah Tenant-Flowers.

This is a concert for lovers of good music everywhere!