Buxton Musical Society launches its 75th Anniversary Season
The Buxton Musical Society was founded in 1944 and drew on the musical talents of several existing organisations as well as some residents of Buxton who had been displaced by the second world war. During the intervening seventy-five years its membership and musical standards have grown considerably, largely under the direction of one man, Michael Williams who has conducted the Society for over two-thirds of that time.
The highlight of this coming anniversary season for many will be a performance, in April, of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius which will feature an enlarged chorus and internationally known soloists, Adrian Thompson (Gerontius), Kathryn Rudge (The Angel) and David Shipley (The Angel of the Agony).
Sunday 28 October 2018 – 7.30pm
Beethoven & Cherubini
Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 with soloist Matthew McLachlan from Chetham’s School of Music. Paired with a work from Beethoven’s favourite composer: Cherubini’s Requiem Mass.
Sunday 25 November 2018 – 7.30pm
Handel - Messiah
This year sees the Society’s triennial performance of Handel’s Messiah in November. This was the first work that the Society performed almost 75 years ago. The first performance of Messiah in Dublin in 1742, and many subsequent performances, were given in aid of charity and the Buxton Musical Society is taking this occasion to support the work of Music in Hospitals and Care – a charity that brings interactive live music sessions to people who are receiving care or treatment in healthcare settings across the UK.
with soloists
Julie Cooper – soprano
Matthew Venner – counter-tenor
Andrew Mackenzie Wicks – tenor
Andrew Slater – bass
Performance in aid of Music in Hospitals and Care
Sunday 16 December 2018 – 7.00pm
Christmas Cracker
We are joined again this year by Choir of Fairfield Endowed C of E Junior School and the concert will feature a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. It has been decided to add a narration to this work, telling the story, and this will be created and performed by Robbie Carnegie, Publications Officer of the Buxton International Festival and member of Buxton Drama League.
Sunday 7 April 2019 – 7.30pm
The Dream of Gerontius - Edward Elgar
The great classic of English choral music returns to St John’s Church after a 12-year gap, with a superb line-up of soloists:
Adrian Thompson (Gerontius)
Kathryn Rudge (The Angel)
David Shipley (Angel of the Agony)
Thursday 11 April 2019 – 7.30pm
Buxton Musical Society 75th Anniversary Dinner
Members, friends and guests are all invited to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Buxton Musical Society. A formal(ish) dinner followed by speeches and entertainments. Further details available on the Society website.
Saturday 8 June 2019 9.30am – 5.30pm
Sing it in a Day - Duruflé Requiem
After last season’s hugely successful preparation and performance of the Mozart Requiem in a day, we are absolutely delighted to have secured the services of the Hallé Choir’s Director, Matthew Hamilton, to lead us through the Duruflé Requiem for our second Sing it in a Day.
Apply for participant places here. Tickets for the performance can be obtained from Buxton Opera House Box Office (details below).
Sunday 16 June 2019 – 7.30pm
Concerto!
Once again, we will be joined by a soloist from Chetham's School of Music to perform a concerto showing the best of young musical talent, with full supporting choral and orchestral programme. Details will be posted here when the School’s concert schedule is finalised.
Iona McDonald – 2015 soloist
Photography by Jonathan Cosens
14 July 2019 - 11.00am
Festival Mass
The Society’s contribution to the Buxton International Festival. Haydn’s Creation Mass - Schöpfungsmesse will be performed in its liturgical setting during the Sunday morning, Eucharist Service at St John’s Church, with full orchestral accompaniment and soloists from the Buxton International Festival company.
As this is a church service admission is free. There will be a retiring collection in addition to the normal church offertory.
All performances take place in St John’s Church, Buxton
Apart from the Sing it in a Day, Tickets: £13.50 available from:
Buxton Opera House Box Office: 0845 127 2190 or 01298 72190 or book online: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
Tickets are also available from Society members and on the door before each concert in St John’s Church (limited availability)