Musica Vera present their Autumn concert for this season on November 29th, featuring a choral re-imagining of the Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, a brand new work by Joanna Forbes-L’Estrange. The piece was co-commissioned by 55 choirs from around the world to mark the 300th anniversary of the composition of the original work in 1725. Forbes L’Estrange sets Vivaldi’s much loved music to words from a wide variety of sources, including the Psalms, Thomas Morley, Emily Bronte and even Vivaldi’s own poetry, which he wrote to directly compliment his music. Each season will be paired with some other short seasonal pieces, with music by Elgar, Finzi and Stanford. Make sure not to miss this much-loved piece as you’ve never heard it before!

Matthew conducts Clevedon Choral Society in their performance on J.S. Bach’s St John Passion. Also featuring:

Evangelist - Nicholas Drew

Jesus - Nick Perfect

Soprano - Brittany King

Alto - Catherine Perfect

Tenor - Will Renouccie

Bass - David Mackee

Musica Vera present their spring concert for this year, featuring Haydn’s oratorio, The Seven Last Words of Christ. This beautiful, but rarely heard gem was originally a set of orchestral pieces for a Good Friday service, but was later transformed into a choral work. In this performance, each of the seven movements will be paired with a corresponding work, with music by Victoria, Morley, Wesley, Walton and others. Do join us in St Mary’s, Prestbury on April 12th at 7.30, for what promises to be an evocative and moving musical reflection on the Passion story.

Matthew sings the baritone solo in Bob Chilcott’s Christmas Oratorio with Gloucester Choral Society, conducted by Adrian Partington.

Matthew conducts chamber choir, Musica Vera in a performance of Luigi Cherubini’s Requiem in C minor alongside music by Mozart, Palestrina and Schubert.

Matthew sings the Baritone solos in Faure’s sublime Requiem with Cheltenham Choral Society conducted by Carleton Etherington.

Baritone Matthew Clark, with pianist Richard Lennox explore Elgar’s songs with a talk given by Elgar expert, Richard Westwood-Brookes at the Elgar birthplace museum. Further details here - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/the-firs/events/502c9065-0e6c-4ab1-a76a-a008ca22c1d1

NB There are TWO Worcester performances, 1pm and 3pm on 25th June.

Baritone Matthew Clark and pianist Richard Lennox perform Gerald Finzi’s song cycle Before and After Summer, alongside songs by Schumann and Brahms. One of the key figures of 20th century British song writing, Finzi fills his music with his love of poetry and evocations of the natural world. He lived for a time in Painswick, Gloucestershire and maintained a close connection with the area, with several of his works being performed at the Three Choirs Festival. In these songs he sets texts by Thomas Hardy which move through themes of time, love and loss.

Baritone Matthew Clark and pianist Richard Lennox perform Gerald Finzi’s song cycle Before and After Summer, alongside songs by Schumann and Brahms. One of the key figures of 20th century British song writing, Finzi fills his music with his love of poetry and evocations of the natural world. He lived for a time in Painswick, Gloucestershire and maintained a close connection with the area, with several of his works being performed at the Three Choirs Festival. In these songs he sets texts by Thomas Hardy which move through themes of time, love and loss.

Baritone Matthew Clark and pianist Richard Lennox perform Gerald Finzi’s song cycle Before and After Summer, alongside songs by Schumann and Brahms. One of the key figures of 20th century British song writing, Finzi fills his music with his love of poetry and evocations of the natural world. He lived for a time in Painswick, Gloucestershire and maintained a close connection with the area, with several of his works being performed at the Three Choirs Festival. In these songs he sets texts by Thomas Hardy which move through themes of time, love and loss.

Baritone Matthew Clark and pianist Richard Lennox perform Gerald Finzi’s song cycle Before and After Summer, alongside songs by Schumann and Brahms. One of the key figures of 20th century British song writing, Finzi fills his music with his love of poetry and evocations of the natural world. He lived for a time in Painswick, Gloucestershire and maintained a close connection with the area, with several of his works being performed at the Three Choirs Festival. In these songs he sets texts by Thomas Hardy which move through themes of time, love and loss.

Clevedon Choral Society present their exciting spring concert, featuring Haydn’s energetic Nelson Mass, alongside music by Mozart, William Byrd and Edward Bairstow. We are delighted to welcome Ensemble Inspirita, as well as four fine soloists who will join us for what promises to be a joyful evening of music making!

Baritone Matthew Clark and pianist Richard Lennox perform Gerald Finzi’s song cycle Before and After Summer, alongside songs by Schumann and Brahms. One of the key figures of 20th century British song writing, Finzi fills his music with his love of poetry and evocations of the natural world. He lived for a time in Painswick, Gloucestershire and maintained a close connection with the area, with several of his works being performed at the Three Choirs Festival. In these songs he sets texts by Thomas Hardy which move through themes of time, love and loss.

Cheltenham chamber choir Musica Vera, under the direction of their new conductor, Matthew Clark, present their spring concert marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd. The concert will centre around his timeless Mass for Four Voices, with other sacred music by Byrd and his contemporaries juxtaposed with 20th-century music by other Catholic composers including Elgar, Sir James MacMillan and Henryk Gorecki.