His Stabat Mater is less well known and far less frequently performed than Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, and Helen, Susanna, Andrew and Christopher are very delighted to be singing it in Chelmsford Cathedral in March 2009 for Andrew Fardell and the Great Waltham Singers. For the soloists the arias are some of the more challenging in the repertoire; the tenor's includes a top d flat, one of the highest notes written in an oratorio, while the mezzo is required to cover a range of an octave and a sixth within a bar in hers.  The concert will also include part of Haydn's The Creation, which at least means that Susanna will be able to conserve her energy for the Rossini.  Alas for poor Andrew: he will have no such luck.

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