Cathedral concert allows music to soar

Music

One of Adelaide's historic buildings - St Peter's Cathedral - will resound with some of the most beautiful choral music ever composed, during the second concert in the Elder Conservatorium Evening Concert Series this month.

The concert, on Saturday 9 June at 6.30pm, is part of both the Conservatorium's Evening Concert Series and St Peter's Cathedral Concert Series.

This collaboration between the University's Elder Conservatorium of Music and St Peter's Cathedral grew out of the excellent historical relationship that exists between the two institutions and because of the close association that the Conservatorium's Director of Choral Music, Carl Crossin, has had with the Cathedral over a number of years.

"The Cathedral is the perfect venue for this fabulous music, not only because of the wonderful acoustic of St Peter's, but because this music was composed specifically for such lofty spaces," Mr Crossin said.

"The music comes alive and soars into every part of the building. There is nowhere else in Adelaide where this concert would work so effectively."

The concert features the Elder Conservatorium Chorale, with soloists and current students Louise McKay (cello), Robert Macfarlane (tenor) and Thomas Flint (baritone), together with recent graduates Anthony Hunt (organ), who is also the assistant organist at the Cathedral, and Greta Bradman (soprano).

The major work being presented is the Australian première of Innocence by John Tavener, which was written in 1994 in memory of the victims of World War II, and "positively surrounds the audience with everything from voices and organ to bells - the exceptionally high and low vocal in this work has to be heard to be believed", said Mr Crossin.

It was originally premièred by the Choir of Westminster Abbey in October 1995 and recorded by Sony Classical (SK66613).

Two other pieces being performed are Morten Lauridsen's at once sensuous and uplifting sacred work Lux Aeterna (for choir and organ), and the justly famous Miserere by Gregorio Allegri, composed in the 1630s for the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

Tickets are $25 adult/$20 concession/$14 student, available from BASS or dial'n'charge 131 246. There is still time to subscribe to save. University of Adelaide staff at concession price.

For further information or to subscribe, please contact the Manager, Evening Concert Series, on (08) 8303 5286 or email: helen.simpson@adelaide.edu.au