Tonight’s International Women in Music Day Performance

This evening, we present a programme that balances familiar repertoire with a more recent addition: Antonio Vivaldi’s Gloria, Isabella Leonarda’s Dixit Dominus, and the contemporary Da Vinci Requiem by Cecilia McDowall.

Vivaldi’s Gloria is one of the society’s most frequently revisited works, performed seven times between 1944 and 2024. From the Guildhall to Beaulieu Abbey, it has remained a consistent feature of the choir’s programming, valued for its energy, clarity, and enduring popularity. This evening’s performance continues that established tradition.

Leonarda’s Dixit Dominus, while less frequently performed, is not new to the choir. It was last presented in 2017, and its return offers a chance to revisit a distinctive Baroque voice that sits outside the more commonly performed canon. As a composer, Leonarda represents an important but often overlooked strand of 17th-century sacred music, and the inclusion of her work reflects the society’s interest in exploring a broader historical repertoire.

In contrast, Cecilia McDowall’s Da Vinci Requiem marks a first for the society, making it the most forward-looking element of the programme. Combining the traditional Requiem text with reflections inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, it introduces a contemporary tonal and thematic dimension.

Overall, this evening’s concert brings together three different perspectives: a well-established favourite, a returning but less familiar Baroque work, and a modern composition new to the choir’s repertoire.

Tonight, we will be joined by soloists Jenni Harper (Soprano), Jenny Samuel (Mezzo-Soprano), and Oliver Turner (Baritone) with David Hall providing piano accompaniment.

Tickets will be available on the door, but to guarantee a seat book them online now.