Berlioz – Te Deum

The thrilling combination of the voices of four adult choirs, two youth choirs, the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra and world-renowned soloists Lucy Crowe and Nicky Spence will guarantee a night to remember.

An all-French programme begins with the remarkable Daphnis et Chloé 2nd suite by Ravel. Rarely performed with choir, this is a lush, passionate work that creates a sensuous atmosphere using romantic harmonies and suggestive wordless singing. It’s an astonishing work to hear live – Ravel fans will travel far and wide to hear the full score performed!

We follow this with the wonderful Gloria by Poulenc – one of his most celebrated pieces. Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites is one of conductor Jeremy Backhouse’s favourite operas, and the Gloria certainly has an air of the operatic about it. With stunning soloist Lucy Crowe on stage, this will be a memorable performance.

The Berlioz Te Deum is the first piece that Jeremy was asked to train the Vivace Chorus for as a newly appointed Chorus Master in 1995. So it is fitting that he has brought his choir full circle by conducting this epic work with such huge forces in this concert. From the first stunning chords and the massed voices of the youth choirs – Tiffin Choirs and Farnham Youth Choir – to the intimacy of the Dignare, it’s a work that pulls the listener into its unique soundscape.

Dedicated to Albert, Prince Consort of Queen Victoria, it’s also the perfect piece to play at the Royal Albert Hall!