Choral masterpieces to be sung at St Mary's in Luton

Choral music fans are in for a treat next Saturday (April 1) when Luton Choral Society performs three masterpieces of French choral music from the 19th and 20th centuries '“ Faure's Requiem and his Cantique de Jean Racine as well as Durufle's Requiem, which will be sung by up-and-coming professional mezzo soprao Hannah Bennett.

Luton Choral Society will perform three French masterpieces at St Mary's on April 1

Hannah – who grew up in Luton and is currently a student at the Royal College of Music – said: “It’s a truly great experience to sing this beautiful music and work with such a lovely bunch of people.”

Singing Faure’s Requiem will bring back special memories for long serving member Don Perry as it was the first piece he sang with the Society, conducted by Sir Adrian Boult, at Watford Town Hall in 1951.

It has also been a favourite for Gill O’Neill, who will sing soprano solo Pie Jesu, since she first performed it with her church choir when she was 16.

She will dedicate her performance to her mother, herself a fine soloist, who died in 2015.

Music director Crispin Lewis said the pieces made an ideal contrasting programme of French music.

The Luton Choral Society gave its first performance in 1871. Its members are local people from all walks of life who share a love of singing to the highest possible standard.

> Tickets are £12 each (£10 for concessions) and £5 for those under 21. Go to www.lutonchoralsociety.org.uk/