Notice: Vivace Chorus Launches Jubilee Celebrations With Majestic Concert

Published on: 13 May, 2022
Updated on: 13 May, 2022

Guildford-based Vivace Chorus is celebrating being able to sing again, after more than 18 months when choral singing was not allowed because of the pandemic.

The choir, which has nearly 140 members and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, played to a large audience in G Live in March with its Best of Broadway concert, alongside local band, Friary Brass Band, which is ranked 19th in the world.

The Vivace Chorus on tour in Vienna.

Now, the choir is preparing to launch Guildford’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations with a full choir and orchestra at 7.30pm on Saturday May 28 at G Live, in a concert full of royal music from coronations past and present.

The concert, which is in partnership with Guildford Borough Council, also features a pre-concert talk, free to ticket holders, from the town’s Honorary Remembrancer, Matthew Alexander, who will talk about Guildford and its royal connections. The talk will start at 6.30pm.

“This is a fantastic way for people to kick off their jubilee celebrations,” says the choir’s Chairman, Peter Norman. “With more than 150 performers on stage, the sound is going to be magnificent, and we are singing some fantastic favourites, including Jerusalem, I was Glad and Zadok the Priest. We’re also singing the Coronation Ode by Elgar, which includes Land of Hope and Glory. All in all, it’s going to be a rousing night of royal music!”

The choir still has an exciting year ahead, with a tour to Northern Spain in June, followed by a concert at Holy Trinity Church, in aid of the Cherry Trees charity, in July.

In November, the choir will perform a celebratory 75th birthday concert at G Live, including the much-loved The Lark Ascending, and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast – a work not often heard outside London.

“After such a long time unable to sing together, it’s fantastic to be back at live performances,” says the choir’s Music Director and conductor at the Majesty concert, Jeremy Backhouse. “Singing is about friendship and community, and we all missed that during the pandemic. So it’s wonderful to be finally bringing this great music to our audiences – it’s the very essence of what live music is all about!”

Tickets cost £25 (students: half price).

To book, visit https://glive.co.uk/Online/tickets-vivace-chorus-guildford-may2022 or call 01483 369350.