Bristol Classical Players & Phoenix Choir: A Night at Sea

Soprano: Chloé Underwood
Mezzo-Soprano: Rebecca Chellappah
Baritone: Malachy Frame

Conductor: Tom Gauterin
Leader: Anneka Sutcliffe

Vaughan Williams: A Sea Symphony
Elgar: Sea Pictures
Bright: The Lighthouse (World Premiere)

Vaughan Williams ‘A Sea Symphony’ was one of the first great compositions for full symphony orchestra, choir and soloists: a full, epic soundscape! He composed this masterpiece over 6 years up to 1909 and was inspired by the mysticism in the poems of Walt Whitman. Vaughan Williams was integral in establishing a strong British classical sound, this being only shortly after great works like Holst Planets and Debussy’s La Mer were composed, an era of expansive development of the Romantic era into the modern age.

Elgar’s Sea Pictures, for mezzzo-soprano and orchestra, are somewhat more delicate than his other works, for which he has been described to be ‘a master of broad and vigorous colouring.’ They centre around a love poem written by his wife which she adapted to reference the sea.

Jacob Bright’s ‘The Lighthouse’ is inspired by the lighthouse being a beacon of hope and dry land amid the storms of the mighty ocean. Jacob is a British composer and record producer based in Somerset. He has composed and produced a plethora of high-quality music for record, stage and screen and we are delighted that he has agreed to write a short piece within the sea theme for this concert. www.jacobbright.com ;

Bristol Classical Players is one of the South West’s leading independent orchestras, presenting an exciting and varied repertoire that spans the great symphonic tradition alongside contemporary and newly commissioned works. They perform up to 10 concerts each year in Bristol and surrounds, conducted by Tom Gauterin. www.bristolclassicalplayers.com

Bristol Phoenix Choir is a long-established (1963) group of local singers who focus on classical and contemporary classical work, directed by Paul Walton. www.bristolphoenixchoir.org.uk ;

We are delighted to be working with excellent soloists:

Rebecca Chellappah, mezzo-soprano, is an active recitalist and soloist internationally. She performs regualrly with Bristol Opera and is a vocal coach specialising in singing technique. www.rebeccachellappah.com

Malachy Frame, baritone, is an award-winning vocalist well known for his roles in opera, debuting with English National Opera this year and at Wigmore Hall and as a concert soloist. www.malachyframe.com

Chloé Underwood, soprano, is currently a member of Swiss opera after recently graduating from Guildhall School of Music. www.chloeunderwood.co.uk

Bristol Cathedral
Doors open at 7pm
Concert begins at 7.30pm
There will be a short interval where refreshments will be available
Finish c. 9.45pm