Home Welcome People Current Season April 2012 Past Concerts Chamber Choir Rehearsals (2010-2011) Joining Contact Reviews Links Tickets . Elgar : The Dream of Gerontius Saturday, April 14th at 7.30pm and Sunday April 15th at 7.30pm Bedford Corn Exchange - 7.30pm Bedfordshire Youth Orchestra Soloists: Jeanette Ager (Mezzo-soprano) Peter Hoare (Tenor) Ashley Holland (Baritone) Conductor: Michael Rose "This is the best of me" was Elgar's matter-of-fact statement about this oratorio, 'The Dream of Gerontius'. Cardinal Newman's words describe Gerontius facing death and starting his journey to eternity. The music follows the events: softand prayerful as we watch over the dying man, quiet and ethereal as the angel leads him into the unknown, snarling and angry as they pass the demon's lair. It then builds to a massive explosion of sound as Gerontius meets his Lord and, as he is taken away to prepare for heaven, we hear Elgar's sublime setting of the hymn 'Praise to the Holiest in the Height' and the angel's farewell. From: 'Beford Orchestral Society & Bedfordshire Choral Society 2011-2012 Season' (brochure) . Image displayed by kind permission of Chris Beetles Ltd, London SW1 (www.chrisbeetles.com) Tickets for the April 14th and 15th concerts can be obtained from: Bedford Central Box Office , Harpur Suite, Harpur Street, Bedford. MK40 1LE Telephone: 01234-269519 There is much on the Internet about this famous oratorio. A few suggested links are given here that give more detailed information about the composer and the background to this work: www.elgar.org BBC Radio 3 BBC Oxford Text of John Henry Newman's poem

Page: April 2012