A “Song of Hope” on World AIDS Day
08/11/2007
The internationally acclaimed London Oratory School Schola and star soloists Rosa Manion, Fiona Murphy, Julian Gavin and Jeffrey Black are to perform two compelling settings of the Requiem plus the world premier of a specially commissioned piece, in a unique concert to mark World AIDS Day on Saturday 1 December.
Duruflé’s timeless and meditative Requiem, Gareth Valentine's tuneful and evocative Requiem, and Colin Mawby’s brand new A Song of Hope will be featured in a charity concert to support SOS Children's Villages, the world’s largest orphan charity.
Musically, the pieces are very different from each other. The Duruflé Requiem has its influences in Gregorian plainchant, Gareth Valentine’s Requiem borrows heavily from musical theatre, whilst Colin Mawby's piece takes its inspiration from the
Biblical text “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come back to you!” (John 14:18).
Combined, they form a programme of hauntingly beautiful melodies which generate real emotion and complex feelings of compassion, peace and optimism for the future. Schola Director Lee Ward said: “The role of the Requiem is to honour those who have died and give hope to those who live on. I think the three works we have chosen will do so magnificently this World AIDS Day. The Duruflé is so expressive and Gareth Valentine’s piece particularly poignant and is associated with the Schola, as the choir sang on the original recording in 2001. I’m also very excited to be premiering the new work by Colin Mawby, commissioned specially for this concert, which is full of the hope that God will ensure 'our tears will be wiped away'.”
The concert will be one of the highlights of World AIDS Day. The proceeds will go to SOS Children’s Villages, to develop a family strengthening programme in Swaziland and SURF, a fund for the survivors of the Rwandan genocide.
Lee Ward said “I am pleased that The Schola is able to support these important charities in their great work. The choristers felt an immediate empathy with the plight of children orphaned by this disease, and many of the professional players and singers have been touched by the way HIV/AIDS has affected people they know.”
The Schola Concert for World AIDS Day will take place at 7.30 pm on Saturday 1 December 2007 at Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X 9DQ.
Tickets costing £29, £26, £21 and £15 are available from the box office: tel. no.: 020 7730 4500 and online at www.cadoganhall.com