Cantamus choir to perform in Cerne Abbas on November 25

The programme, What Sweeter Music, comprises sacred and secular music that’s perfect for the run-up to the festive season.

Each half of the concert will open with a movement from Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil – first Priidite, Poklonimsya and later the more familiar Bogoroditse Devo.

The first half will also include pieces by Renaissance composers Byrd and Gabrieli and a number of modern works including the upbeat Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day by Gardner, A Spotless Rose by Gjeilo, and of course the gorgeous piece by John Rutter after which the programme is named.

After the interval the audience will hear pieces by three members of Cantamus personnel: musical director Peter Nardone’s composition The Lord at First Did Adam Make; In Excelsis Gloria by accompanist Steve Kinnersly; and I Saw a Fair Maiden by tenor Nick Brown.

The concert will conclude with Peter Warlock’s Bethlehem Down and The Camel Carol, a very jolly piece written just this year by Thomas Hewitt Jones.

It will take place in St Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas, Saturday, November 25 at 7pm.

Tickets are £12 on the door (Cerne Abbas tickets are also available in advance from the village shop) and cash and card payments are accepted. Refreshments will be available.

Bridport-based Cantamus was founded in 2012 and performs the very best sacred and secular choral music to audiences in the area.

The singers have been working with their musical director, Peter Nardone, since summer 2021. Peter is a professional conductor, singer and composer who has been director of music at Chelmsford Cathedral and organist and director of music at Worcester Cathedral.

He has sung with the Monteverdi Choir, The King’s Consort and The Tallis Scholars.

As well as working with Cantamus he is also musical director and organist at Beaminster Parish Church.

More information, including the full concert programme, is available online at www.cantamus-dorset.org or on the choir’s Facebook page ‘Cantamus – Dorset’