Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius | Lewisham Choral Society

Join Lewisham Choral Society, The Bromley Boy Singers and three outstanding soloists for a performance of Elgar’s masterpiece, The Dream of Gerontius. This tale of a dying man’s journey to the afterlife includes encounters with angels and demons, a thunderous glimpse of God and a tranquil bathe in the lake of Purgatory. The subject matter gave Elgar scope to produce the most inspirational and colourful music, in turns dramatic, poignant and sublimely peaceful, ending magically with an angel’s voice floating over the double choir and boy treble ‘angelicals’.

Our soloists are all well-established performers in the worlds of opera, recital and oratorio. Tenor Peter Davoren is much praised for his opera, oratorio and lieder performances and sings regularly with the Monteverdi Choir. Soprano Elisabeth Meister has sung many title roles at opera houses and concert halls in the UK, France, North and South America and performed at the Royal Opera House Gala for the Queen’s Jubilee. Baritone David Stout has rapidly established himself as one of the UK’s most versatile baritones with a wide-ranging repertoire from early music to contemporary, performing widely at home and abroad.

Lewisham Choral Society is one of London’s most accomplished community choirs, with three near sell-out concerts at the Festival Hall, performances in Paris and shortly in Berlin. The Bromley Boy Singers have a well-established reputation for quality performance and musical education. They have just celebrated their 40th anniversary and recently performed in Paris. Talented conductor, teacher and choral director Dan Ludford-Thomas directs Lewisham Choral Society, Hackney Singers and Concordia Chamber Choir. He also coaches the NHS choir and worked with them in the BBC series ‘The Choir’. The Forest Philharmonic is one of London’s most popular community orchestras and has performed with Lewisham Choral Society at the Festival Hall and elsewhere. Organist James Orford has won many scholarships and prizes and has just been appointed as Organ Scholar at St Paul’s Cathedral.