THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS

Gravesham Choral Society

Tania Williams – mezzo=soprano
Robin Green – tenor Simon Thorpe – baritone
Bexley Phoenix Choir, Vigo Singers
Conductor Alan Vincent

Cardinal Newman’s poem The Dream of Gerontius was written in 1865. It is about the journey of a pious man’s soul from his deathbed to his judgement before God, arrival in Purgatory and promise of a re-awakening in glory. Edward Elgar was already familiar with it by 1887 when he lent his copy of it to Alice Roberts, his future wife. In 1898 the possibility arose of a commission for the Birmingham Festival. After much to-ing and fro-ing with the organisers, Elgar agreed to set Newman’s poem, scoring it for a large orchestra, double chorus with semi-chorus and three soloists: tenor for Gerontius, baritone for the Priest and Angel of the Agony and mezzo-soprano for The Angel.

However Roman Catholic doctrinal aspects of the work repugnant to Anglicans, such as Purgatory, gave rise to objections in some influential British quarters. An expurgated text was used for the 1910 Three Choirs Festival performance and objections lingered on into the 1930s when the Dean of Peterborough banned the work from his cathedral.

With the passing of time The |Dream of Gerontius has acquired the universal recognition it richly deserves. The late Michael Kennedy, Elgar’s biographer wrote: “It has become as popular with British Choral Societies as Messiah and Elijah. It is unquestionably t