The Shetland Choral Society is gearing up for its Spring Concert in Mareel on Friday 17 May, where it will be joined on stage by four visiting soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Conductor of the Shetland Choral Society, Peter Davis, said: “This concert is a great opportunity to hear Shetland Choral Society together with four fine young solo singers from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in choral music by Haydn, Vaughan Williams, and Karl Jenkins. With assistance from the Shetland Arts Fund we hope to develop a close working relationship between the Choral and the Royal Conservatoire.”

Also joined by Nigel Hayward on accompaniment, the Choral Society will open the concert with a piece by contemporary Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. The Jenkins’ piece is the first of his Songs of Sanctuary, Adiemus, and uses the voices more like instruments, with no lyrics other than syllables and invented words.

The Choral Society will then perform a piece by Vaughan Williams, who set the words of 17th century poet George Herbert to music in his Five Mystical Songs, first performed in 1911. Written for baritone soloist, choir, and accompaniment, it anticipates much of the composer’s pastoral style which was to follow.

The major work in the programme is Haydn’s Theresienmesse, or Maria Theresa Mass, from 1799; a large scale setting of the Latin Mass including four vocal soloists. It is full of exuberance, originality, and classical Viennese elegance.

Shetland Arts’ Marketing Officer, Lisa Ward, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome the Shetland Choral Society and the soloists from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to Mareel for this Spring Concert. I’m sure the audience will really enjoy the diverse programme.”

The Spring Concert will take place on Friday 17 May, doors at 7pm, and is supported by the Shetland Arts Fund. Tickets cost £12 / £8 and are available to book now via Shetland Box Office in Mareel & Islesburgh, over the phone on 01595 745 555, or online at www.mareel.org and www.shetlandboxoffice.org

Source: Shetland Arts