Tatton Singers perform with orchestra at St John's Church

Tatton Singers will be performing Beethoven’s Mass in C with a 30-piece orchestra at St John’s Church in Knutsford.

The choir, which now has more than 75 members, will also be singing a selection of other pieces at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 19.

Ian Philips, chairman of Tatton Singers said: “This is the first concert since the Covid shutdown where we have been able to engage a full 30-piece orchestra to join us in performing a significant piece of music.

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“Such an orchestra doesn’t perform in Knutsford very often, so this is a great opportunity for residents to come and hear one live.

“We held several concerts in our last season but were only accompanied by either the church organ or a grand piano.

“So this is a major step for us in the return to ‘normal’ musical life.”

Tatton Singers will be performing Beethoven's Mass in C to celebrate the composer's 250th birthday (Image: Chris Tarrant)

The concert was originally intended to be part of the extended 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Ian said: “It is fantastic that we can come together again to perform a wonderful work with great musicians, in the excellent acoustic of St John’s church.

“A large audience will make it extra special.”

Tickets priced £13 adults and £5 children will be available on the door.

John Powell, the choir’s’musical director, said: “I’m thrilled to be preparing this concert and thrilled by how the choir is enjoying such a challenging programme.

“Not only are we performing the Mass in C, one of Beethoven’s finest choral works, but we are preceding it with shorter works by Haydn, Brahms and Beethoven himself.

“Our four soloists will have a chance to shine in a wonderful quartet from Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera.

“It’s a big and exciting concert for which we’ve waited two years.

“It’s not every composer who has a celebration of their 252nd birthday!”