Elgar's The Dream Of Gerontius

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edward Elgar, the WASO will perform the composer's magnificent choral work The Dream of Gerontius as its gala concert for 2007, at Perth Concert Hall, on Friday13 & Saturday14 April, 8pm.

The concert will feature an outstanding ensemble of guest artists led by one of Britain's most gifted and versatile conductors, Richard Hickox. Based in Europe and a regular guest of the world's great opera houses, Glenn Winslade (tenor) will sing the title role. He will be joined by Ann Murray (mezzo soprano) as The Angel, and Joshua Bloom (bass baritone) will sing the roles of The Priest and The Angel of the Agony.

The combined forces of the 200 members of the WASO Chorus and the Melbourne Chorale will contribute to the magic of this concert. Jonathan Grieves-Smith, Mebourne Chorale director and WASO Chorus director, Marilyn Phillips, will jointly oversee the direction of the combined chorus. The WASO Chorus has developed a reputation for excellence and is an integral part of the orchestra's annual concert season.

This journey of a dying man's soul into the afterlife is based on a poem by Cardinal John Newman, a copy of which was given to Elgar in 1889 as a wedding present. The text traces the course of a believer (Gerontius) from his deathbed, through the last rites, to his entrance into the next life (with angelic guidance), appearance before God, and sentencing to purgatory. Set to music for the 1900 Birmingham Festival, it is one of Elgar's most ambitious and extended works. Using a large orchestra along with the voices, the orchestral part is just as significant as the voices. Today, it is undoubtedly the most popular of all Elgar's choral works and the most frequently performed.

This dazzling choral work will be performed without an interval. "this is the best of me"¦this, if anything of mine, is worth your memory' Edward Elgar. The BHP Billiton Gala Concert is also supported by the Alcoa Foundation as the partner for the WASO Chorus and the Patrons & Friends of WASO in support of the Melbourne Chorale. Tickets from $40 - $85. -- www.waso.com.au