Shropshire’s Premier Choir brings an Easter classic
The iconic St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury is hosting the Phoenix Singers, as they perform Bach’s much-loved masterpiece “Passion According to St. Matthew” on Saturday March 19th at 7.00pm. This is a rare chance to experience a live performance of one of the finest pieces of the classical repertoire, with a double choir, full orchestra, children’s choir, and five soloists.
The Phoenix Singers will be accompanied by the Phoenix orchestra, led by Clare Horgan, and the Packwood Haugh School Senior Choirs. This major work is demanding of its soloists, and conductor Richard Walker has brought together six leading performers for these roles: Evangelist: Philip O’Connor, Christus: Piran Legg, Soprano: Gemma King, Countertenor: Oliver Gerrish, Tenor: Harry Ross and Bass: Graham McCusker.
Conductor Richard Walker said: “The St Matthew Passion is one of the finest pieces of the classical repertoire, and it is a privilege to bring together performers from throughout Shropshire and further afield. The audience can look forward to a wonderful evening, as we re-tell the Passiontide story leading up to Easter through music. The choir is building on its fine performance of the Rütti requiem last autumn, and rehearsing with enthusiasm! Where better to enjoy this unique experience than Shrewsbury’s Georgian St Chad’s church and our soloists are a line-up of which any choir would be proud”.
Tickets for the concert are priced £15 for adults; with under-18s are free. Tickets can be purchased online from www.phoenixsingersshrewsbury.co.uk, or from The Hive, 5 Belmont St, Shrewsbury, Tel: 01743 234970. You can also telephone 01743 357398 or buy tickets on the door.
Future events… This is the latest event in an exciting year for the Phoenix Singers. They finish this season with the opportunity for anyone to join the choir for a day on June 11th 2022 in a workshop preparing Haydn’s Nelson Mass at St Peter & Paul Church, Wem. Details of all our upcoming events are on the choir website www.phoenixsingersshrewsbury.co.uk.
Evangelist: Philip O’Connor – This is Philip’s debut performance with the Phoenix Singers. He began his musical training at Wells Cathedral School, followed by Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music. He is quickly making a name for himself in the operatic and oratorio worlds.
Christus: Piran Legg – Piran is also making his first appearance. After studying at the University of Kent, he moved to the Opera School at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He now works extensively in the UK and abroad on the concert platform and on stage.
Soprano: Gemma King – Gemma has sung regularly with the choir. Gemma is both a professional classical singer and an educator. As a performer, she sings in Dublin with Chamber Choir Ireland; in Birmingham with Ex Cathedra; and in Warwick with Armonico Consort. She performs across the UK as a soprano soloist.
Countertenor: Oliver Gerrish – Many will remember Oliver’s wonderful solos in the B Minor Mass in 2018, and the choir looks forward to working with him again. Oliver is much in demand both in opera and in the concert hall, and has performed all over Europe and in the USA.
Tenor: Harry Ross – After attending Downside School Harry gained a scholarship to study singing at the Royal Academy of Music, London. In 2020 he graduated with a First Class Honours Degree, winning the Toni V Fell Prize, and now studies at the Postgraduate level with Richard Berkeley-Steele and James Baillieu.
Bass: Graham McCusker – Graham is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music. He has recently been on tour singing with the Dunedin Consort and with Scottish Opera. He is also a keen composer, recently working on an Apple TV mini series and also a Netflix feature film.
