- Introducing........Kerry Beaumon
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Date Posted: Sun, 13 Oct 2024
In our next article introducing the musicians taking part in Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle we catch up with former Director of Music at Coventry Cathedral, Kerry Beaumont.
Kerry Beaumont needs little introduction to regular music audiences in Coventry. Between 2006 and 2020 he was Director of Music at the Cathedral, where he is now Organist Emeritus.
Shortly after his retirement from Coventry Kerry was awarded the Cranmer Award for Worship by the Archbishop of Canterbury for his "outstanding service to music and worship ..., with particular reference at Coventry to outreach, recruitment and nurture of boy and girl choristers to create a cathedral choir with diversity at its heart".
Tonight he steps away from the organ console to play the demanding piano music which is such an exciting part of Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle
Kerry says, “I’m delighted to return to Coventry Cathedral. Of course, a particular pleasure for me is the opportunity the concert gives me to meet up with longstanding friends. The Rossini work is unique as a mass setting and I am looking forward to performing in the cathedral again after some years absence."
- Introducing............Alexandria Moon
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Date Posted: Thu, 10 Oct 2024
In this second article about our upcoming performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle we introduce our mezzo-soprano soloist, Alexandria Moon.
We are delighted that mezzo soprano Alexandria Moon will be singing with us on 9 November. The mezzo-soprano soloist is featured in several sections, including the Gloria and the Credo, but most prominently in the epic final movement, the Agnus Dei.
Alexandria has a wide-ranging repertoire in opera, oratorio and secular works, and is a current member of the opera studio at the Royal College of Music in London. She has sung this work previously with Guildford Choral and Grantham Choral societies.
She recently made her role debut as Lucretia from Britten’s “The Rape of Lucretia” in a new production with British Youth Opera at the Brunel Museum in Rotherhithe. She was mentored by Dame Sarah Connolly and her performance was described by critics as “mesmerising” …” with her warm mezzo, she’s tender and vulnerable, yet there’s a core of steel as she spits out the text like bullets.”
Alexandria looks forward to her next role debut as Concepción in Ravel’s one-act comedy “L’heure espagnole” at the Royal College of Music this November.
She says,” I'm an avid dog and cat lover and have two black cats of my own: Boog and Bear, who will be staying at home for my visit to Coventry. I’m thrilled to sing this wonderful music again. The Agnus Dei, in particular, is very close to my heart, and used to be a bucket list solo of mine. I am eternally grateful to have had the opportunity to sing this piece before. Every time it reminds me of how much singing means to me as it moves me very deeply. I hope our audience in Coventry will enjoy it as much as I do!”
- Introducing......Rossini's Petite Messe Sollenelle
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Date Posted: Wed, 2 Oct 2024
In this series of news items we'll be introducing the music from our next programme, along with the soloists and other musicians who will be taking part in the concert. We start with Rossini's Petite Messe Solonnelle.
Luke Fitzgerald says......
Why is Rossini’s Solemn Mass Petite? It certainly isn’t short, running for around 80 minutes. No, it’s petite because when it was written, Rossini needed just 15 people to perform the music: 8 singers for the choir, four to sing the solo arias, (Rossini called them his “cherubim”) two pianists and a harmonium player who also conducted. There were only a similar number of people to hear the first performance of the music.
Its musical style combines much of the wit and sense of joy of the operas Rossini wrote earlier in his career with church music styles in movements such as the Sanctus. Overall it is an absolute joy to listen to and to perform.
Our performance will be less petite than the premiere, as we have a choir of around 60 singers along with four wonderful soloists from the London Conservatoires. These include the fabulous Tom Butler whom I’ve had the pleasure of performing in Rossini’s La Cenerentola. Will I follow the example of Albert Lavignac, the 18 year old who led that first performance, and conduct from the harmonium?
Buy your ticket here to find out.
- Autumn Newsletter
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Date Posted: Thu, 12 Sep 2024
Our latest newsletter has just been published Attachment: 
- Proms success
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Date Posted: Thu, 16 May 2024
Our Proms concert proved very popular, with a good audience who were only too happy to join in with the singing of Auld Lang Syne as the concert drew to a close.
Here are a few of the things people said about the night.
"I wish I could hear it all again."
"Looks so colourful and energetic!!"
"Just got home from this concert, what a joyous evening, well done chorus and Coventry and Warwickshire youth orchestra."
- Good Friday Concert 2024
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Date Posted: Mon, 8 Apr 2024
Our Good Friday concert took a different direction this year. In place of one of the large scale passions, we sang a programme of shorter pieces, each reflecting on the events of Holy Week. It was a challenge to learn music in so many different styles, but one that the chorus rose to. With smaller forces - just organ accompaniment for some of the music - we were able to present the music in a more intimate setting, with the audience closer to the performers than usual.
"That was a wonderful selection of music and beautifully sung."
- Rome
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Date Posted: Mon, 4 Mar 2024
In April 2023 we joined with our friends in the Parliament Choir to sing Elgar's Dream of Gerontius in Rome. Although the Pope was not able to attend himself, several senior Vatican clergy were present. Singing in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls was an exhilerating experience. You can see some pictures of the event here.
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