The Ceramic City Choir

Four world-class soloists and one incredible score. Liz Rowley talks to Oliver Parker as he prepares to conduct the Ceramic City Choir in a performance of Verdi's Requiem

VERDI'S Requiem is one of the most powerful and popular works in the choral repertoire.

Not to be taken lightly, it's a challenging work that asks a lot of its singers.

But musical director Oliver Parker is certain The Ceramic City Choir, pictured above, is up to the job.

"I'm just entering my second year with the choir and they just keep getting better and better," says Leicester-based Oliver, pictured below, who teaches at Uppingham School in Rutland.

"I know the choir have performed this work before, but it was about 10 years ago, so it's the first time we've done it together and I'm really confident it's going to be good."

Presenting the monumental work at Hanley's Victoria Hall next Saturday night, the choir will be joined by four world-class soloists, including soprano Rita Cullis.

Oliver says: "I work with Rita at the school I teach in and she is one of this country's leading operatic sopranos. She's performed this piece many times in the past and has performed on all the great operatic stages including the Metropolitan in New York and Covent Garden in London. It's wonderful that she's agreed to perform with us."

Equally impressive is the appearance of husband and wife team Graeme Danby, bass, and Valerie Reid, mezzo-soprano, and Welsh tenor Geraint Dodd.

"All of the soloists have this wonderful wealth of experience that I know the choir will love working with and really respond to," says Oliver, who will also conduct the Orchestra da Camera during the performance.

"They will listen to the intensity in which these wonderful artists can sing and I'm sure it will enhance their own singing."

As for the Requiem itself, Oliver believes people should see it as a celebration of life.

He says: "It's one of the most popular works in the repertoire and people should see it as a celebration of life rather than being scared of death, which is what a lot of people see it as. A requiem isn't just about doom and gloom, and while people often recognise this for its thunderous Dies Irae at the beginning, there is a lot of quieter and reflective music running throughout it."

Sharing the stage with the Leek Phoenix Singers, the evening is set to be a memorable night of powerful and passionate choral music.

"It really is all of Verdi's great operatic works coming together on the concert platform," concludes Oliver. "I think we will be able to bring the music and the words to life in spectacular fashion."

The Ceramic City Choir will be performing Verdi's Requiem at Hanley's Victoria Hall on Saturday, November 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £16, £14, £10 and £5 (under 16s). Call 0844 871 7649.