Cantorion Monteverdi Singers play at Bangor

Nov 12 2008

IT’S always been the aim of the Cantorion Monteverdi Singers to present music that is not usually played in this part of the world.

Two years ago they performed Verdi’s Requiem and last year they went back a further 250 years with the Vespers of 1610 by Monteverdi.

This year in Bangor on Saturday, November 15, they come right up to date with Mass in Blue to give the first performance in Wales of this exciting new work.

Composed in 2003, this setting of the Mass is a large- scale work for choir, soprano solo, and jazz trio.

It has already been performed over 20 times in England and further afield, to enthusiastic audiences.

The choir’s conductor, John Huw Davies, said: "We have much enjoyed getting to know this piece.

"It’s unusual but very effective in the way it combines the Latin words of the liturgy with traditional jazz idioms."

"Mass in Blue is on its way to becoming a classic of its kind and will appeal to a wide range of music lovers."

Mass in Blue composer Will Todd is one of the leaders in composing religious music and has worked with many well- known choirs including the BBC Singers and The Sixteen, with the Hallé Orchestra, and Welsh National Opera.

Immediately after the Bangor concert he and the ensemble are booked to present Mass in Blue with choirs in California and Ottawa.

The performance, in the Prichard Jones Hall, Bangor, starts at 7.30pm.