Opportunity to sing Mahler Symphony No. 8

Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir, in association with Newcastle University and the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Music and Inclusivity, is offering an opportunity for experienced choral singers to join them for a performance of Mahler's 'Symphony of a Thousand', conducted by Eric Cross, on April 26th 2008 in The Sage Gateshead.

As far as we know, this is a North East premiere!

Rehearsals begin on January 28th in King's Hall, 7-9 pm and run until March 10th , resuming on April 14th until the performance.

Singers will need to attend most of the rehearsals.

All voices are welcome.

The joining fee is £25, including music hire.

Singers from choirs holding Making Music membership will not be required to audition.

To discuss joining the Mahler Extra Choir, please contact:
Rose Haslam (0191 285 3975, email: vrhaslam@btinternet.com)

The Painter and the Patriarch (The 'Zurbaran' Oratorio)

Bishop Auckland Choral Society are staging a specially written oratorio by David Napthine, Duncan Brown and Greg Pullen, inspired by a unique collection of paintings.

The paintings by Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbaran, which have been in Auckland Castle since 1756, were recently valued at £20 million by Antiques Roadshow expert Philip Mould.

The 13 paintings show Jacob and his Twelve Sons dressed in Spanish peasant costume. Legend has it that after being commissioned the collection was sent to Mexico to promote Catholicism, seized by English Pirates en route and finally bought in London by Bishop Richard Trevor of Durham in 1756 for £125. Trevor, a great ecumenist, installed the collection of paintings - each one 8' high - in the Long Dining Room of Auckland Castle.

Although the paintings were recently in danger of being sold, they were given a reprieve in 2005, which is under review in 2010. The project - funded by Arts Council England, Northern Rock Foundation and Youth Music as well as Making Music and the local council - aims not only to provide the Choral Society with an exciting new work, but also aims to encourage newcomers to the choir and, more importantly, to help a recruitment drive for children and young people to form a new Bishop Auckland Youth Choir. It is hoped that the project will also raise awareness across the north east for one of its finest art treasures.

The Oratario, produced by theatre company Changeling Productions, will tell the story of the paintings, interwoven with the Biblical story of Jacob. Local school children and members of the community will take part in an opening procession with music, movement and icons in the style of traditional religious processions of Seville and the performance concludes with a grand firework finale. The work will be performed inside Auckland Castle - home to the Bishop of Durham and one of the finest palaces in the Church of England.

The three performances will be held at Auckland Castle on 22nd, 23rd and 24th March at 7.30pm Soloists for each of the performances will be Eliot Alderman (tenor), Richard Coxon (tenor), Paul Hudson (bass), Jonathan Scott (tenor).

Anyone wishing to get involved contact Jill Cole, Project Manager on 01833 631838.

Tickets on sale from Saturday 17th February from Brothertons, Bishop Auckland or phone 01833 631838.