Glad Greetings and Fond Farewells

Dating back to the earliest human civilisations the ritual of greeting and farewell has been a hallmark of social interaction, whether in celebration of a newborn, the romance of love at first sight, the new beginnings of weddings and coronations, or the mourning of memorial and burial. Whenever such occasions have been marked with ceremony, music has played an integral part.

Our summer concert will explore these pieces with a particular focus on C Hubert H Parry. A leading musical figure of Victorian England, Parry died in 1918 and his Songs of Farewell form the centrepiece of the performance. Parry, suffering heart failure both literal and figurative - as students, friends and colleagues were lost during the First World War - wrote these motets knowing they were likely amongst his last compositions. As such they provide a unique perspective on the musical farewell.

We will also perform Stanford’s celebratory Magnificat, written in memory of Parry; Haydn’s Te Deum, written to welcome a victorious Lord Nelson to court in 1800; Parry’s famous coronation anthem I Was Glad; and works by Rutter and Holst. Join us for an evening of beautiful and touching music.

Petros Singers is a well-regarded auditioned chamber choir with a reputation for high-quality singing and innovative programmes. We perform a wide-ranging and diverse repertoire and collaborate with top-class orchestras and soloists in West and Central London.

Richard Bannan (musical director) is a baritone, conductor and arranger. He sings with many of the country's leading vocal ensembles, including the Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle where he is a lay clerk.

Andrew Wells (organ) has been the accompanist for Petros Singers since 1987. He graduated from the London College of Music and also studied at Trinity College London. He has frequently been rehearsal pianist for the BBC Singers and Symphony Chorus.

Event date: 
Saturday, 30 June 2018 - 7:30pm to 9:15pm
Ticket Prices: 
£17, £15 concessions, £5 under 18s and students
Location: 
St Michael and All Angels
Bath Road Bedford Park
W4 1TT London
United Kingdom