WAR & PEACE ~

IN PERFECT HARMONY!

Macquarie University Singers will present three magnificent choral works reflecting the theme of War & Peace in its next major concert on Saturday 31 st May.

The scene will be set with the beautifully ethereal Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré , a sublime prayer for peace performed by a small group of singers with harp and strings. This leads into the Fauré Requiem , a serene and sensitive work for choir and orchestra, loved by singers and audiences around the world, which portrays death as a “happy deliverance” rather than a painful experience.

In sharp contrast, the Singers will also perform Haydn's Mass in Time of War , composed in 1796 as Austria was mobilising for war in Europe in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Sometimes referred to as the Paukenmesse (Kettledrum Mass) this lively work provides potent images of battle, particularly through the use of trumpets and timpani in the final movements, before concluding with a strong plea for peace.

Four exceptionally fine soloists will join Macquarie University Singers for this concert. Soprano Penelope Mills and Bass Stephen Bennett, singing in both the Requiem and the Mass, were soloists in the recent acclaimed performance by Sydney Chamber Choir of Mozart's Requiem with a new completion by Australian composer Gordon Kerry. Penelope Mills has been a regular principal artist with Pinchgut Opera. She has been a guest performer with the Sydney , Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras and a soloist with many leading ensembles including The Seymour Group and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. Stephen Bennett, one of Australia 's foremost bass singers, appears frequently in concerts and recitals with symphony orchestras and choral societies in Australia and New Zealand , and will be performing the role of Montano in Opera Australia's forthcoming production of Verdi's Otello .

Alto Helen Sherman and Tenor David Corcoran complete the quartet of soloists in the Mass. David was the winner and Helen runner-up in the 2007 McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge Operatic Aria Awards and both are currently members of Oz Opera, Opera Australia's touring program that provides tremendous performing opportunities for outstanding young singers.

In an exciting development, the orchestra for this concert will comprise professional, youth and community orchestra members from across Sydney and beyond. It will include play-ers from
Sydney Symphony Sinfonia
Sydney Youth Orchestra
Balmain Sinfonia
Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
and Concertmaster Deborah Scholem will be the violin soloist in the Fauré Requiem .

The performance will be conducted by Margot McLaughlin , who this year celebrates 21 years as Musical Director of Macquarie University Singers . The Singers is a choir of over 100 voices drawn from students, staff and members of the community, and performs each year at concerts and events on campus, as well as making regular appearances at the Sydney Opera House and in major events around Sydney .

This concert will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 31 st May in Macquarie Theatre. Free parking is available, and refreshments will be provided during the interval.

Tickets: $30 adult, $24 staff/alumni, $20 concession, $15 students

Bookings: MCA 1300 306 776 or www.mca-tix.com

For further information and interviews:

David Goodwin , Publicity Officer / Event Coordinator

Mob: 0410 505 562

publicity@mus.org.au

www.mus.org.au