The iconic St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury is hosting the return of the Phoenix Singers, as they perform much-loved choral music on Saturday November 20th at 7.30pm. Favourites, such as Mozart’s ‘Laudate Dominum’ and Mendelssohn’s ‘I waited for the Lord’, are combined with Parry’s splendid Coronation Anthem ‘I was glad’. And the centrepiece is a performance of Carl Rütti’s Requiem – a masterpiece which the audience will love.

Conductor Richard Walker said: “Rütti’s Requiem is one of the best 21st century works for choir and organ; we sang it in 2019, and both choir and audience demanded another performance – so here is a chance to hear this unusual and exciting work again. We are combining it with well-known shorter pieces, which will feature some of the choir’s own soloists. The choir is on fine form despite lockdown, and rehearsing with enthusiasm. It will be a really good evening of music-making.”

The Phoenix Singers will be accompanied by organist Allan Walker, and joined by soloists Isla MacEwan and James Berry. It is a line-up of which any choir would be proud. James is a regular soloist with the Phoenix Singers, and said “I would absolutely love to come back and sing the Rütti again with you”.  Isla has not sung with us before, but already has a glittering career.  A recent review said: “Isla MacEwan burst onto the scene with a depth to her voice that belies her younger years. One to keep an eye on”.

This is just the first event in an exciting year for the Phoenix Singers There is an evening of Christmas music with mulled wine and mince pies at St John the Baptist Church, Whittington on Thursday December 16th at 8.00pm. On March 19th they present Bach’s St Matthew Passion – one of the pinnacles of the choral repertoire, but rarely performed in Shropshire. And on June 18th there is an opportunity for anyone to join the choir for a day in a workshop preparing Haydn’s Nelson Mass at St Peter & Paul Church, Wem. Details of all these events are on the choir website.

Tickets for the concert are priced at £13 (under 18s are free), can purchased online from www.phoenixsingersshrewsbury.co.uk, or from The Hive, 5 Belmont St, Shrewsbury, Tel: 01743 234970. You can also telephone 01743 357398 or buy tickets on the door.

Pictured: Isla MacEwan – soprano soloist.

Pictured: James Berry – baritone soloist