250th Anniversary
2022 marks 250 years since the Choir was formed in 1772. We marked the occasion with a grand concert whose centrepiece was Beethoven’s Mass in C. The Choir was supported by members of the Burnley Orchestra and four soloists: Freda Farnworth, Christine Morton, Michael Jones and Maurice Rushby, all under the musical direction of Brian Morton.
Beethoven’s Mass in C is less well known and performed less often than the longer and more difficult Mass in D. We had hoped to present this piece to celebrate Beethoven’s own 250th in 2020, until Covid intervened, but the piece was enjoyed by performers and audience alike.
The first half of the concert included Vivaldi: Gloria, Ev’ry Valley and Rejoice Greatly from Messiah, Rutter: A Gaelic Blessing, the spiritual A Balm in Gilead, Caccini: Ave Maria, Bruckner: Locus Iste, Mendelssohn: It is Enough, and Pergolesi: Magnificat.
The evening was attended by Alderman Theresa Fitzsimons and sponsored by Middleton Township.