Durham Choral Society

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Concert in Durham Cathedral, 25 January 2025 at 7.30pm.

Here is a rare chance to hear Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus (HWV 63) performed by Durham Choral Society and orchestra. The music is typically baroque and with a recognisable tune, with the words, of “See the conquering hero comes” as a popular brass band piece.

Handel composed this oratorio in three acts in 1746 as a tribute to the victorious Duke of Cumberland upon his return from the Battle of Culloden in the same year. The first time a full performance was given in Durham was 1770, although extracts had been performed before then.

The oratorio describes events in the period 170–160 BC which feature in The First Book of the Maccabees in The Apocrypha. At this time, Judea was ruled by the Seleucid Empire which undertook to destroy the Jewish religion. Being ordered to worship Zeus, many Jews obeyed under the threat of persecution; however, some did not. One who defied was the elderly priest Mattathias who killed a fellow Jew who was about to offer a pagan sacrifice. After tearing down a pagan altar, Mattathias retreated to the hills and gathered others who were willing to fight for their faith.

Early Bird Offer - Until December 1st if you buy 5 full price tickets in the Nave you will only pay for 4.

Tickets available from Durham Cathedral Box Office, the Visitor Desk and on the night.

https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173657189

We were very sad to learn of the death of Ben Thapa. Ben has performed with us several times in recent years and we were looking forward to welcoming him back in January. He particularly asked to sing with us again when he spotted we are planning to perform Judas Maccabaeus because it was his favourite work.

R.I.P. Ben, you were taken far too soon. We will remember you fondly in January.

Ben Thapa (1982 - 2024) - Steven Swales Artist Management Ben Thapa studied at the Guildhall School of Music and the Royal College of Music before graduating from the Wales International Academy of Voice

Heading into our new season
Time flies, or so they say!

Preparations for our 2024-25 season are well underway with rehearsals starting on 4th September at Durham School. (7.30pm on Wednesdays, see our "sing with us" web page for more details www.durhamchoralsociety.org.uk)

We are giving Handel's lesser known oratorio 'Judas Maccabaeus' an outing at our concert in Durham Cathedral on 25 January. The most famous movement is "See the conquering hero comes" although you may recognise it as the popular hymn tune "Thine be the glory".

Before that, though, there's Christmas and this year it will be a traditional carols and readings event on 14 December. As ever, we will be at Elvet Methodist Church and profits will be donated to charity. Last year's 'Christmas with Will Todd' event raised over £2000 for Durham Music Trust.

Plans for the May concert are still being worked on so watch this space.

Still not sure whether to come to our concert tonight? Clink on https://sway.cloud.microsoft/EdMd28JNoZcxaQQw?ref=Link or the QR code for the online programme so you can get more information.

But simply it is
's
's and
Ola Gjeilo 's

with soloists Elizabeth Woods , Simon Lee and

All the above in a Durham Cathedral with tickets starting from just £12.

Go on, treat yourself. And your hubbie/wife. And your mum/dad. In fact why not treat anyone you really like. It's going to be a cracking concert.

Tickets from https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651415/events/428628360?_gl=1*ck7k7v*_ga*MTEwMTQ0ODUyOC4xNzE0MTk1MTQ0*_ga_GWSJKBCMBZ*MTcxNTQyMzA2NS4zLjEuMTcxNTQyMzA4Mi4wLjAuMA..

Concert tonight at 7.30pm in Durham Cathedral
Here's snippet of the choir at rehearsal last night singing Ola Gjeilo 's . Want to hear more? Please come along this evening.

We will also be performing 's Mass in G and the orchestra will be playing 's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
Tickets, starting at £12 are available from https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651415 and on the door (NB: Payment by card only on the door)

ABCD : Association of British Choral Directors Durham University Choral Society Making Music UK
Durham Music Service
This is Durham
Culture Durham
What's On Northeast - Chronicle
Durham Magazine -Magazine
Newcastle Choral Society


Choral HOUR
Newcastle Chronicle The Northern Echo Teesdale Mercury Alexander Armstrong

From Dusk ‘til Dawn: Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Schubert Mass in G Major and Ola Gjeilo Sunrise Mass - Durham Cathedral Durham Choral Society and Orchestra present a programme of music that evokes night-time from Dusk ‘til Dawn. Mozart’s ever-popular Eine Kleine…

tomorrow, Saturday 18th May at 7.30pm in Cathedral

We will be singing 's Mass in G and Ola Gjeilo's and our orchestra will be playing 's , in Durham Cathedral. Tickets, starting at £12 available from https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651415 and on the door (NB: Payment by card only on the door)

This morning our team set up the stage ready for rehearsal this evening. Thank you to everyone at Hi-lights and the Cathedral for the smoothest set-up ever. All we need now is a choir and orchestra - oh and soloists and conductor too...

Durham University Choral Society Making Music UK
Durham Music
This is Durham
Culture Durham
What's On Northeast - Chronicle
Durham Magazine -Magazine
Newcastle Choral Society


Choral HOUR
Newcastle Chronicle The Northern Echo Echo Teesdale Mercury Alexander Armstrong

PeterCoulson

Peter will be singing bass for us on Saturday night (18th May) when the Choir will sing 's Mass in G and Ola Gjeilo's and our orchestra will be playing 's , in Durham Cathedral. Tickets, starting at £12 available from https://durhamcathedral.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173651415 and on the door (NB: Cash only on the door)

Peter is a lay clerk at Durham Cathedral, having held the same post at Guildford Cathedral, after graduating from Durham University.
He has studied singing with David Wilson-Johnson, and Colin Baldy, and has sung as a soloist with numerous ensembles, including the London Philharmonic Choir in a performance of Fauré's Requiem.
Other solo appearances include the premiere of John Tavener's Let's Begin Again in Norwich Cathedral, and Peter Maxwell Davies' Eight Songs for a Mad King with .
On the operatic stage, he has appeared with Morley Opera, and the Mayer-Lismann Opera Centre. Recent solo engagements include performances of the Bach Passions, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Creation, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah.
Peter is also the Musical Director of .

Durham University Choral Society Making Music UK
Durham Music
This is Durham
Culture Durham
What's On Northeast - Chronicle
Durham Magazine -Magazine
Newcastle Choral Society


Choral HOUR
Newcastle Chronicle The Northern Echo Echo Teesdale Mercury Alexander Armstrong