'A very fine performance of probably Elgar’s greatest choral work'

So said Seen & Heard International of the CLC's Gerontius at the Royal Festival Hall on 13th March.

"Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius presents huge challenges to all its performers, so all credit to soloists and choirs for this very fine performance... The City of London Choir were impressive across all sections; firm on intonation, diction and rhythm in the tricky passages such as the Demons’ Chorus and the ‘Praise to the Holiest’."

CLC performed for the first time with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, conducted by the two choirs' shared Musical Director, Daniel Hyde. Tenor Andrew Staples was in the title role, with mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge, bass James Platt, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

© Dan Way

An unforgettable experience for all in the choir, it evidently made a big impact on the audience.

"Simply sublime. Blimey, last night was something else. I’ve been listening to The Dream of Gerontius all week, but nothing prepared me for hearing it live. It was absolutely stunning. The choir was just incredible—so powerful one minute, then soft as a whisper the next. Gave me goosebumps... The whole thing felt like being lifted to another world."

"...a stupendous performance. The applause at the end said it all... the audience - which nearly filled the Festival Hall - nearly lifted off the roof. The place almost exploded. And very justifiably. What a privilege to hear such a magnificent work, so well performed."