The Marches Choir present a concert devoted almost entirely to the music of the great Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), in the inspirational setting of St John’s Church, Bishop’s Castle. Dvořák was born in 1841 in a small village north of Prague. The eldest of 14 children, he trained as a butcher, and was a keen folk musician and train spotter - an eclectic background on which to build world fame as one of the leading Romantic period composers. He wrote chamber, choral and symphonic music and opera to great acclaim.

Four professional soloists accompanied by the Marches Sinfonia will perform one of his most enduring choral works, the Stabat Mater. Dvořák’s musical setting of Stabat Mater is intensely moving and rich in melodic beauty, rhythmic diversity and symphonic mastery; a work of poignancy and sadness but also of great healing, brought about by personal tragedy of almost incomprehensible proportions - he lost all three of his children in a short period.  

All the soloists are from an operatic background. The soprano Caroline Clarke from Ludlow, who has performed with the choir on several previous occasions, will also sing the exquisite aria ‘Song to the Moon’ from Dvořák’s opera Rusalka. Other soloists include Andrew Morris (tenor) who was born in Clun and attended Bishop’s Castle Community College, Stephanie Windsor-Lewis (mezzo) from Mid Wales, who has made several appearances with ENO, and Nick Morris (bass) who has sung with Scottish Opera and is a regular performer with the Marches Choir.

As a prelude to this wonderful concert of Dvořák’s music, the Marches Sinfonia will perform two of Dvořák’s popular and exciting Slavonic Dances. A true Bohemian, Dvořák was inspired in his music by Slovakia. He looked to Slavic music for its harmonic modes, unusual modulations and its wealth of rhythms and melodic turnarounds. These are brilliantly displayed in the dances.

The leader of the Sinfonia, violinist David Gregory (who was a long-serving member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), will also play the beautiful solo Meditation from the opera Thais by Jules Massenet with the orchestra.

Conductor Alistair Auld, now in his 9th year with the Marches Choir, says: “Dvořák is one of my all-time favourite choral composers. His music is brimming with passion and deep expression. Our programme embraces folk dances, opera and sacred choral music all in one. A real treat for music lovers!”