Cappella Newcastle present an exciting mix of music in their 2023-24 season. In the Autumn we share a programme entitled, “Dona nobis pacem; music for war, peace and reconciliation”, in the Spring we will perform Handel’s mighty Messiah and then next Summer we invite you to join us for a concert of music on the theme of air.
Our first concert takes place at St James's United Reformed Church on Saturday 18th November. This programme threads together the many elements of war; its horror and tragedy, but also the kinship which is born out of necessity. We will be joined by Alison Gill on piano and Robin Crinson who will perform Arthur Butterworth’s song cycle A Shropshire Lad. Both will also feature in Lili Boulanger’s Pour les funérailles d’un soldat, a rarely heard work which tells the story of a company of soldiers burying their captain. The concert will close with a call to hope in the form of the ending of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor, the “Dona nobis pacem”.
Soon after this concert, on Saturday 2nd December, we will be hosting a workshop to kickstart our Spring programme. Local singers are invited to join us for a session in which we will explore the Christmas section of the Handel’s Messiah in our rehearsal venue of St. James’ United Reformed Church in Newcastle. The workshop will conclude with an informal performance featuring young local soloists.
Our performance of Messiah will take place on Saturday 23rd March 2024 in the splendour of St. George’s Church, Jesmond. We will be performing this great work accompanied by full orchestra and it should be a wonderful occasion featuring young and upcoming soloists.
In the Summer term we are excited to be commissioning young local composer Lucy Walker to compose a piece on theme of air to tie in with our concert on Saturday 29th June 2024. Lucy hails from Sedgefield in County Durham and is currently the composer in residence at St. Martin-in-the-Fields church in London. This concert will include a performance of J.S. Bach’s motet, Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf (BWV 226) as well as an extract from American composer Christopher Theofanidis’ …messages to myself…, the second movement which is entitled, “God picks up the reed-flute world and blows”.
We hope that you will join us as we tackle these varied programmes – there really is something for everyone! The choir is looking for new singers in all parts, but particularly bass and tenor so if you have ever considered auditioning for us, now is the time! Please do get in touch to find out more.
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