FRENCH COMPOSERS SET TO FEATURE IN CHOIR CONCERT SEASON LAUNCH

Final rehearsals are underway for a concert by one of Chester's leading choirs which will feature music written by popular 20th century French composers.

Marking the launch of its 2025/26 season of concerts, Chester Music Society Choir will stage "French Masterpieces of the 20th Century" at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 22nd November at 7.30pm. The choir will be joined by soloists soprano Susanna Fairbairn and baritone Peter Edge and the Liverpool Sinfonia, all under the baton of conductor Graham Jordan Ellis.  

The concert will feature Francis Poulenc's 'Gloria', Maurice Duruflé's 'Requiem' and Maurice Ravel's 'Ma Mère L’oye' (Mother Goose Suite). 

One of Poulenc's most celebrated works, the Gloria, was composed in 1959. Based on the text of the text of the Gloria from the Mass Ordinary, it was scored for solo soprano, orchestra and chorus and received its premiere in 1961. Poulenc was once described as “a cross between a monk and a naughty boy”. Some other composers thought he was “too popular” but the public loved his music. Steeped in Gregorian chant, the music of the medieval church, Duruflé’s Requiem has a timeless, contemplative feel. Written in 1947, Duruflé dedicated the work to the memory of his father.  Ravel’s orchestral piece 'Mother Goose Suite' has influenced film scores, Disney animations, and even video game music. Written between 1910 and 1911, the work has been used frequently in popular culture including the 2007 Anime 'Clannad', 2017 film 'Call Me by Your Name", and 2018 Korean drama 'Sky Castle'. 

English soprano Susanna Fairbairn is an Opera Awards Foundation bursary recipient, Park Lane Group Young Artist, and prize-winner of the Handel Singing Competition. Suzanna studied at Trinity College of Music, London, studied voice at the Wales International Academy of Voice in Cardiff, and flute at Magdalen College, Oxford where she was the first female Instrumental Scholar in the college’s c.550-year history. Concert appearances include recitals at Wigmore Hall, Verdi’s Requiem and Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony. Susanna has worked with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Opera North and English Touring Opera. 

Shropshire-born baritone Peter Edge is a Rising Star of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (2025–27) and Rising Star of Voice at the Edinburgh International Festival (2025), as well as a finalist in the 2025 London Handel Festival Singing Competition. He has appeared as a principal artist with many of the UK’s leading opera companies, including English National Opera, English Touring Opera, Opera North, and the Royal Ballet and Opera. A graduate of both the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal College of Music, Peter has performed major roles such as Count Almaviva in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Guglielmo in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte, Ned Keene in Britten’s Peter Grimes and Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème. 

Speaking about the concert, John Ferrari, the Chair of Chester Music Society Choir said:

"Some 20th century music can be quite challenging to listen to. This is definitely at the other end of the scale – beautiful and relaxing. It's interesting to note that Ravel was writing at the time when composers were trying to work out how to use music to support films, especially cartoons. The lush textures of Ravel's work were highly influential on writers of the time and they continue to influence composers even today. The choir are really enjoying the Poulenc piece because it is fun to sing, and also at times, languid and sensual. One choir member remarked it reminded him of 'a nun in a bath drinking absinthe!' The Duruflé is hard for the choir to sing but it generates an incredibly timeless and serene plainsong sound."

John added:

"We are very much looking forward to being joined by the Liverpool Sinfonia and our star soloists Susanna Fairbairn and Peter Edge under the musical direction of acclaimed conductor Graham Jordan Ellis for what promises to be a very special evening." 

Following on from its November concert, Chester Music Society Choir will stage its annual festive celebration "Christmas Crackers" at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20th December at 7.30pm. Presented by Lady Anne Dodd, widow of legendary comedian Sir Ken Dodd, the choir will be joined by Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and Chester Cathedral's Saturday Singing Club directed by Tim McLachlan under the musical direction of conductor Graham Jordan Ellis. The evening will feature popular Christmas carols, orchestral delights and readings.  

Full details of Chester Music Society Choir's new season of concerts can be found at:

http://www.chestermusicsociety.org.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the Chester Cathedral box office.