Morley singers bring Fairy Queen magic to the Southbank
They will be joined by young performers from the Centre of Young Musicians (CYM) and members of the Guildhall Graduates Baroque Orchestra.
The performance will mark the 100-year anniversary of Gustav Holst’s revival of the piece in 1911. Holst, celebrated composer and former Director of Music at Morley College, was the first to recreate a complete performance of Fairy Queen since Purcell’s time, with the help of Morley staff and students. The students transcribed a complete edition, while Holst’s fellow colleague and acclaimed composer Ralph Vaughan Williams provided programme notes for the performance.
A century on, the celebratory concert on 10 September will also include an enchanting performance of A Fairy Dream, a semi-opera inspired by Fairy Queen, composed by the accomplished composer and Morley tutor, Harvey Brough.
Andrea Brown, current Director of Music at Morley College says: “This is the first time that Morley and CYM have collaborated on such an exciting performance, and perfectly fitting that we should celebrate the centenary with our Southbank neighbours ”.
A Fairy Queen Dream will be performed within the impressive surroundings of the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on 10 September 2011. The performance begins at 7.30pm.
Ticket prices range from £7.50 - £10 (concessions available) and can be purchased from the Southbank Centre box Office on 0844 875 0073 or online at www.southbankcentre.co.uk.