Royal Choral Society to perform at The Anvil, Basingstoke

Four years later, the choir is finally making its debut at the Basingstoke concert hall with a programme featuring a double-whammy of Mozart hits, his Requiem and the Clarinet Concerto, on Saturday, February 10, starting at 7.30pm. 

In the Requiem, the choir will be accompanied by the world-renowned orchestra the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the orchestra that achieved global fame with the soundtrack of the acclaimed movie about Mozart, Amadeus.

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Mozart composed arguably his greatest two works during the last months of his short life. His hauntingly beautiful Requiem was commissioned by a stranger and unfinished at the composer’s death. His pupil Franz Süßmayr’s first ‘completion’ is considered by many modern-day scholars to have imperfections, and in this concert the Royal Choral Society will perform the version by Mozart scholar Franz Beyer (published in 1983 and re-edited in 2005).

Whichever edition performers use, the entirety of the work in all cases reveals the full scope of Mozart’s genius and depth of expression up to his very last days.

Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto – his final orchestral work, and arguably the greatest concerto written for any wind instrument – is full of rapturous melody and intense harmony. Composed for his friend Anton Stadler, the work highlights the profoundly expressive range of this instrument, especially in the sublime second movement. Mozart himself said of Stadler’s playing: ‘nobody with a heart could resist it’. Clarinettist James Burke will be emulating his predecessor in this glorious work.

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The concert opens with Haydn’s stirring motet Insanae et vanae curae, a perfect showcase for the 150-strong choir.

Richard Cooke, music director of the Royal Choral Society, said: “We are happy finally to make our debut at the Anvil, a little later than planned due to the Covid pandemic, but bringing a concert of Mozart’s best with the Requiem and Clarinet Concerto, both written in the composer’s final year. Being joined by one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras will provide an extra treat. It will be a very special concert.”

This is the first visit to The Anvil by the Royal Choral Society, one of Britain’s largest symphonic choirs, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022.

The choir has been performing choral masterpieces ever since its formation for the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871, including the UK première of Verdi’s Requiem in 1875, conducted by Verdi himself, and the performance of Dvorak’s Stabat Mater under the baton of the composer nine years later.

Tickets are priced at £44, £34, £24. Under 25s and f/t students £12 (includes £4 booking fee). Contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk.