Puccini Messa di Gloria with Lewisham Choral Society and Frisian Chamber Orchestra

Lewisham Choral Society and the Frisian Chamber Orchestra present Puccini Messa di Gloria and Beethoven Symphony No. 5. This is our second collaboration, following our highly successful joint performances in the UK and the Netherlands in 2022. Beethoven’s rousing piece is characterised by its dramatic four-note opening theme which he embroiders on throughout the work. The central movements are in turn gentler and bolder in nature, culminating in the work’s triumphant finale. The choir and two outstanding soloists then join the orchestra in a performance of Puccini’s Messa di Gloria. The lyrical opening Kyrie is followed by a jaunty Gloria, whose tune recurs during the work, at one point developing into an exhilarating fugue. As one might expect from Puccini, this distinctly operatic work is infused with beautiful melodies for choir and soloists. For this concert, the conducting podium will be shared by Ronald Slager and Dan Ludford-Thomas. --- Tenor Ashley Catling is an accomplished opera singer and in a career spanning over two decades, he has performed with many major opera companies around the UK and worldwide, as well as being an accomplished oratorio performer. Baritone Themba Mvula has performed extensively with opera companies around the UK and Europe, and as well as traditional roles, he has a keen interest in modern opera and collaborative multimedia projects.