St Georges Hall, Bradford

Bradford Festival Choral Society and Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra bring you a sublime evening of classical masterpieces. 29 April 2023 7.30pm

At A Glance

• a sublime evening of classical masterpieces

• Bradford Festival Choral Society and Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra

• Part of the 154th orchestral season 

  
  

Mozart’s Requiem is an iconic masterpiece – much-loved and justifiably famous. 

Written during the final weeks of Mozart’s life, its magnificence and beauty are extraordinary, full of emotional contrasts from the drama of the Dies Irae (Day of Wrath) to the heart-rending Lacrimosa.  It’s a sublime experience, whether you have heard the work many times or are hearing it for the first time.  

Another choral classic opens the concert – Handel’s Zadok the Priest – a choral wall of sound, followed by a second coronation anthem, The King shall rejoice.  Edward Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro ends the first half of the performance – a multi-layered symphonic poem for string orchestra, displaying the orchestra’s brilliance.

Bradford Festival Choral Society have a great historic connection with St George’s Hall.  The choir was founded in 1856, after being put together as a temporary group for the hall’s opening in 1853.  With around 120 singers, the choir is directed by Thomas Leech, and programmes include the classic choral works that are such an important part of the choir’s heritage while also exploring exciting new music by living composers.  

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra is an ensemble proud of its Yorkshire roots and heritage and is constantly striving to be an artistic voice for the North of England. It is a reincarnation of an ensemble that disbanded in the 1950s and in the two years since its rebirth has performed concerts with Lesley Garrett, Wynne Evans, Sir Willard White and Aled Jones. Comprising some of the north of England’s finest orchestral musicians and with a passion for collaboration with both musical ensembles and across other art forms it seeks to be a regular fixture in concert seasons and events throughout the region for years to come.