Wycliffe Choral Society is dedicating its performance of The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins to the people of Ukraine.
There will be a collection at the end to support the victims of Russia’s invasion. First performed in 2000 and dedicated to the victims of Kosovo, The Armed Man is essentially an anti-war piece that has made a huge impact on audiences both in the UK and abroad.
It is based on the Catholic Mass, which Jenkins combines with other sources, principally the 15th-century folk song L’homme armé in the first and last movements. The theme of the first movement is ‘The armed man must be feared’ but in the final movement the same tune is set to the words ‘Better is peace than always war’.
The soloists are Wycliffe 6th former Eve Chandler, soprano, local singers Fiona Henderson, contralto and Phil Brotheridge, bass and the tenor Andrew Henley. Andrew is also the soloist in the first half of the programme which comprises the solo cantata Dies Natalis (Day of Birth) by Gerald Finzi, first performed rat the Three Choirs Festival in 1946. The orchestra will be led by Matthew Denton and the conductor is Christopher Swain.
The concert is on Sunday 15th May at 7.30pm in Wycliffe College Chapel, Stonehouse, and tickets priced £11.50 in advance (U18’s £2.00) may be obtained from the Sub Rooms (01453 796880), online at www.wycliffechoralsociety.org.uk or at the door (£12.50/£2.50).
