Culwick Choral Society celebrating 110 years!

THE CULWICK CHORAL SOCIETY

PRESENTS

FAURÉ REQUIEM AND POULENC GLORIA

NATIONAL CONCERT HALL

SATURDAY, 26^TH APRIL 2008, 8 p.m.

Two men of faith, both French, both composers.

Two very different creative responses to the death of loved ones.

Two exquisite masterpieces.

The Culwick Choral Society &emdash; in its 110th anniversary year &emdash; returns to the National Concert Hall to present fine performances of Fauré's beautiful and much-loved Requiem and the lesser-known, joyously energetic Gloria by Poulenc.

Fauré's Requiem &emdash; written during the years separating the death of his father in 1885 and of his mother in 1888 &emdash; has a special place in the hearts of audiences because, unlike other similar works, it makes no mention of the fires and torments of hell, concentrating instead on consolation and hope.

The Gloria was one of many works Poulenc composed when the loss of a dear friend in a horrific road accident inspired his whole-hearted return &emdash; aged 35 &emdash; to the Christian faith. In ideal contrast with the Fauré, however, the Gloria is a work full of life and celebration.

The all-French programme is completed with Ravel's Menuet Antique, an orchestral miniature characterised by stirring urgency.

The Culwick will be joined on the NCH platform by soprano Rebecca Ryan, fresh from recent performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and at London's Wigmore Hall, by baritone Owen Gilhooly, also recently in London singing Mahler songs with the London Philharmonic, and by RTÉ NSO leader Alan Smale, all under the direction of leading Dublin-based choral conductor Bernie Sherlock.

Tickets €30 & €20 (conc) & €10 (choir balcony)

NCH Box Office 01-417 0000

Online booking at www.nch.ie

These two great choral works will receive a repeat performance in St. Fin Barre's Cathedral Cork on May 17th where the choir will be joined by special guest soprano Mary Hegarty, (a native of Cork who began her musical studies at the Cork School of Music), and bass Tristan Caldwell, and organist David Leigh.  Tickets €15 on sale at Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett Street (021) 4271659, the Cathedral Shop, and at the door.

History of the Culwick

The Culwick Choral Society is named after the distinguished organist and conductor Dr James C. Culwick who established the choir in 1898. For 110 years the Culwick has maintained an unbroken tradition of music-making in Dublin, performing most of the great repertoire as well as introducing choral works new to Irish audiences. Collaborations with living composers include the European premiere of David Fanshawe's African Sanctus. The Culwick is extremely proud of its support for a range of Irish charities through its highly popular annual performances of Handel's Messiah in St Patrick's Cathedral. Donations to date exceed a quarter of a million Euro.

The skill and musicianship of the succession of conductors of the Culwick has obviously been crucial to its success and, from Dr Culwick onwards, the Society has been most fortunate in being led by musicians who could lead a large group of amateur singers to a professional standard of performance.  During this 110th season, the Culwick is delighted to welcome as Musical Director, Bernie Sherlock and as Chorus Master, David Leigh, both of whom joined the Culwick in September 2007.

Culwick Choral Society celebrating 110 years!

Saturday, 26th April 2008, 8 p.m.

The Culwick Choral Society presents FAURÉ REQUIEM at POULENC GLORIA at the National Concert Hall

Venue Information: National Concert Hall (NCH)

More Information: http://

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