Poulenc was deeply traumatised by the death a composer-friend, and as a result visited the Marian shrine of Rocamadour. This pilgrimage proved to be a life-changing experience. Poulenc’s Litanies, for three-part female chorus and organ, was the first of a steady stream of religious choral works, which continued throughout the rest of his life. The piece consists of a series of prayers to Mary; the deeply personal nature of the piece is immediately apparent with its humble and angst-ridden pleas.
Grace Rossiter will conduct Finchley Choral Society. They will be joined by the superb mezzo-soprano Catherine Hopper, baritone Michael Bundy and the choir’s accompanist Richard Harvey on the organ.
FCS was founded over one hundred years ago to give local people the opportunity to take part in high quality music making. It is now a firmly established part of the musical life in North London. The choir will be returning to the Free Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb. This impressive grade I listed building built by architect Edwin Lutyens in a similar style to St Jude’s and is one of the choir’s regular concert venues.
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Saturday 20th March 2010 at 7.45pm
Free Church, Central Square, Hampstead-Garden-Suburb, London, NW11 7AG
Duruflé Requiem
Poulenc Litanies á la Vierge Noire
And other settings by Fauré, Laloux, Villette and Casals
Catherine Hopper mezzo-soprano
Michael Bundy baritone
Richard Harvey organ
Grace Rossiter conductor
Tickets £13.00 / £10.00 / free for children
Tickets are available from the FCS box office (020 7263 3358) FCS members or at the door. Tickets can also be purchased from Les Aldrich Music, 98 Fortis Green Road, N10 3HN or call 020 8883 5631.
