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Melbourne University Choral Society Box 51, Union House University of Melbourne, VIC 3010 ABN: 28 518 374 155 |
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Upcoming Concerts
25th Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial ConcertVERDI: FOUR SACRED PIECES Saturday, 11 October 2008, at 8pm Melbourne Town Hall
VERDI: QUATTRO PEZZI SACRI (FOUR SACRED PIECES)
with over 300 musicians live on stage:
joined by a distinguished cast of outstanding soloists: Conducted by Andrew Wailes Over 300 musicians, led by four of Australia's finest operatic soloists, unite to present sacred pieces by Verdi and Kodaly. The 25th Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Concert will feature the combined forces of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra and the Melbourne University Choral Society, and will include a special performance by internationally-acclaimed visiting Italian tenor Aldo Di Toro. The Quattro Pezzi Sacri, Verdi's last compositions, have origins as varied and contrasting as the nature of the pieces themselves: from the rich luxuriance of his Ave Maria sulla scala enigmata, to the chaste, deceptively quiet all-female Laudi alla Vergine Maria. both pieces unaccompanied; the distinct grandeur and movingly searching 'Te ergo quaesumus' of the Te Deum for double chorus and large orchestra, to the intensely-paced Stabat Mater for full choir and large orchestra. Verdi's rarely-performed work, the Hymn of the Nations gets its Melbourne premiere at this concert. Tenor Di Toro leads the chorus in this unusual, wildly patriotic cantata, for tenor solo, chorus and orchestra, which closes in a spectacular counterpoint based on the national anthems of England and France, and what Verdi correctly predicted would become Italy's national anthem. Composed in 1936 to represent Italy in a musical jubilee for the Great Exhibition in of 1862 in London, it was commissioned along with three other pieces by renowned composers of the time to represent England, France and Prussia. Patriotism was similarly a driving force behind Kodaly's Budavari Te Deum. Commissioned for the 250th anniversary of Budapest's liberation from the Turks, this grand setting of the Te Deum hints of Kodaly's strong personal interest in the study of his national folksong, interwoven throughout as it is with allusions to Hungarian folk music. Tickets are $45 for adults (or $60 for a premium seat), $35 concession (including students) or $20 for a junior (under 16). They are available from MUCS members from August, or through all Ticketmaster outlets and agencies (call 136 100 or book online at ticketmaster.com.au- ticketing charges apply for bookings through Ticketmaster). Joining the Melbourne University Choral Society Come and attend MUCS rehearsals at Saint Mary's West Hall (near the corner of Elgin and Swanston Sts, on Tin Alley). We rehearse every Wednesday from 6:45pm to 9.30pm. MUCS is a non-auditioned choir and always welcomes new members. Click here for more detailed information about joining MUCS. We are happy to answer any queries you may have. just click here for details on how to contact us. We hope to see you there! Recent Concerts:2008 - Hong Kong Baptist University Choir 2008 - Stuttgart Concert 2007 - Hail, Gladdening Light! 2007 Immortal Beethoven
2007 Combined Concert with Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum
2007 Mozart, Faure,Haydn |
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Information
The Choir
The Melbourne University Choral Society (MUCS) has established a reputation as one of Melbourne's leading large choirs, and has brought an exciting blend of youthful energy and musical skill to many works throughout more than six decades of existence... > Read More
The Conductor |