Fauré…From Calne to Paris
On 1st April St Mary’s Church, Calne will reverberate with Gabriel Fauré‘s stunning Requiem performed by a full scale choir and professional chamber orchestra, as part of an uplifting and reflective ‘Music for Easter’ concert.
This is community choir Viva Voices’ first visit to the historic St Mary’s and it previews their imminent tour to Paris where they have been invited to sing Fauré’s Requiem in the magnificent L’église de la Madeleine, where the work was first performed in 1888.
Viva Voices’ Musical Director, Rachel McCorry explained why singing the Fauré Requiem is so special.
“Although Fauré wrote several works involving full orchestra he had a particular talent for more intimate settings which have won him increasing numbers of admirers. This work embraces an elegant subtlety and is poignant as Fauré composed it shortly after his father’s death. Of the many settings for the Requiem, this is probably the most widely loved. Its gentle simplicity is ethereal and I challenge anyone not to be moved by the beauty of this humble masterpiece…
….We are an inclusive community choir and were thrilled to hear our application to Le Madeleine had been successful. Being invited to sing in the prestigious Paris landmark, La Madeleine, the building for which the work was composed, is a true privilege and I know it will be one of the highlights of our tour!’’
Fauré’s Requiem & Music for Easter, St Mary’s Church, Calne, Saturday 1st April 7.30pm.
