The Marches Choir of Bishop’s Castle, together with the Marches Sinfonia and a host of professional soloists and musicians are combining forces to bring an exquisite evening of choral and orchestral music to the town on Saturday, April 2nd 2022.  The concert is devoted entirely to the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 – 1791) whose tragically short life produced such a prolific output of inspired music, including Operas, Symphonies, Concertos, Choral and Chamber Music.

The Choir, fresh from their recent performance of Haydn’s Creation last November, will be augmented once again by a number of singers from Cardigan, West Wales, making a chorus of over 70 singers. They will be accompanied by the Marches Sinfonia, a specially selected orchestra of professional musicians.  A total of about 100 performers will be on stage.

The featured work will be the Requiem in D Minor, composed at the very end of Mozart’s life.  The work is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest choral pieces of all time, displaying dramatic contrasts of expression, from the most subtle and beautiful turn of phrase as exemplified in the solo quartet Recordare and the heart-rendering Chorus Lachrimosa to the equally captivating power of the thunderous Dies Irae and the dramatic Rex Tremendae.

Marches conductor, Alistair Auld, has a special affection for the work:

“Through his music, Mozart has a wonderful way of speaking to people’s hearts,” explains Alistair.  “The Requiem is one of Mozart’s most emotional pieces – it was literally written on his deathbed and he poured his heart and soul into it.”

Mozart was the master of Opera and in his Requiem the solo writing perfectly captures the purity and depth of musical expression found in his operas.   The concert will feature four exceptional soloists - Hannah Davey (Soprano) who has recorded Mozart Requiem with the Orchestra of St John’s Smith Square, London, released on CD, Siân Cameron (Mezzo Soprano) is a lyric mezzo known for her clear, warm timbre and strong stage presence. Both are performing with the Marches Choir for the first time.  Tenor Matthew Sandy was a choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge and performed the Tenor role in Handel’s Messiah with the Marches Choir with much warmth and style in 2016.  Nicholas Morris (Bass) has made several previous appearances with the Choir and is a seasoned operatic soloist with a full, rich tone.

The brilliant and evocative Violin Concerto No 4 in D, K 218 is one of Mozart’s best-loved works for violin and orchestra, and the Sinfonia, led by Claire Tocknell, will be joined on the concert platform by the gifted young violinist, Hana Mizuta-Spencer, who has previously played in prestigious venues including Wigmore Hall and St Martin-in-the-Fields.

Opening the concert is the jubilant C-major antiphon Regina Coeli, K. 276, a most delightful example of Mozart’s early choral works, full of boundless energy. All four soloists sing antiphonally (alternating) with the choir.  

The Marches committee, under their hard-working Chairman, Heather Willis, have put together a brilliantly organised musical event with a delightfully rich repertoire of great music, displaying some sparkling talent in the inspiring ambience of St John’s Church.  A musical treat is in store!

Tickets (£15, children and students free), are available from 01588 650315 or online (see below).