Friday 22 April 2022
Members of Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus are thrilled to be opening their homes to singers from two choirs, the Philharmonischer Chor Bochum from Germany and Ensemble Vocal Perigueux from France. ‘Our friends from France and Germany have come over to sing Handel’s Messiah with us on St George’s Day’ said Chorus Chair Paul Henstridge. ‘ We are having s super time showing them round Sheffield and Yorkshire – and rehearsing for the concert of course.’
The German party enjoyed a tour of Sheffield’s city centre, including a talk about the metal work exhibition in Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery, and a tour of Sheffield Town Hall, meeting the Lord Mayor and her mace-bearer. ‘Bochum also has a proud history of steel-making’ explained Chorus member Louise Dawson, who led the tour of the city centre, ‘Our visitors were most impressed by the quality of the work displayed at the Millennium Gallery.’ A message of friendship was sent by Bochum’s mayor, along with an invitation for the Sheffield choir to make another trip to Germany next year.
The French party travelled up to York, visiting the Minster before presenting a concert in Malton, the birthplace of their conductor Patrick Hilliard. On Sunday 24 April they will enjoy an afternoon in Buxton followed by another concert in St John the Baptist Church, Buxton
The big event is on Saturday 23 April, when the three choirs come together to sing Messiah with the world-famous Black Dyke Band, fresh from their recent win at the Yorkshire Championships. Tickets cost £18, under-16s FREE, available online on the City Hall website or at the door on the night