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LEICESTER MERCURY

18/05/07

PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA AND LEICESTER PHILHARMONIC CHOIR

ELGAR - DREAM OF GERONTIUS

DE MONTFORT HALL, WED 16 MAY 2007

GREAT PERFORMANCE OF ELGAR CLASSIC

The Philharmonia Orchestra gave a fine performance of Elgar's masterpiece, The Dream of Gerontius, together with Leicester Philharmonic Choir.
The eminent conductor was Sir Andrew Davis, who seemed to have the entire orchestra at his fingertips.

Soloists on this occasion were the glorious mezzo-soprano Jane Irwin, the wonderful tenor James Gilchrist and the rich bass baritone voice of Peter Sidhom.

This proved to be a most memorable performance at De Montfort Hall. With the stunning music of Elgar, the amazing Philharmonia and the Leicester "Phil", how could it have been otherwise?

The Dream, a work of passion, tells of the journey of the soul from life to death, the words of the piece being from a poem by Cardinal Newman.

Gerontius asks his friend to pray for him as he passes over and, having gone to sleep, is welcomed by the angels before judgement.

With its lines of beautiful interwoven melody throughout, we heard glorious swathes of sound, the choir at times angelic or demonic, delicate or powerful, but always in control in this emotive piece.

Praise to the Holiest was a wonderful climax. The end was magical, completed by the stunning silence.

A complete success, the mood encapsulated.

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