Singing praises of soloists and choir

Canterbury Cathedral’s choristers will be joined by an impressive line-up of soloists to perform Bach’s St John Passion this Saturday.

The concert, which takes place in the Cathedral Nave, will be conducted by David Newsholme, director of the girls’ choir, and will be accompanied by the Harmonious Society of Tickle-fiddle Gentlemen, a period instrument orchestra founded by Professor Robert Rawson of Canterbury Christ Church University.

Nicholas Todd, head of singing at the King’s School in Canterbury, will be performing the tenor part as the Evangelist.

His career, which began as a cathedral chorister in Salisbury, has taken him to the United States, the Far East and all over Europe, and he has also toured and recorded with groups such as Polyphony, The King’s Consort, The Sixteen and The Cardinall’s Musick.

Also joining is soprano singer Susan Gilmour Bailey, a member of the recently formed vocal quarter the Agnes Collective.

Susan, who was originally born and raised in the Canadian prairies, lives in Sussex with her husband and their young son and teaches singing in the Music Department at Ardingly College.

Matthew Venner, who started out as a chorister at Westminster Abbey and went on to become a choral scholar at New College, Oxford, will be singing Alto.

Increasingly in demand as a soloist, Matthew has performed with many leading vocal ensembles including The Cardinall’s Musick, The King’s Consort, The Monteverdi Choir, The Sixteen and The Tallis Scholars.

Completing the line-up is baritone Robert Rice, a former choral scholar at King’s College, Cambridge, who has recorded Judas in The Apostles with Canterbury Choral Society and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Buy tickets at canterburyticketshop.com/shows/st-john-passion. ground has drawn in big names from the world of music, including Bryan Adams and Madness

Liz Doogan-hobbs, of events firm LHG Live, said: “Tears for Fears have amassed fans across the globe and across the decades and continue to enthral through their unequivocal catalogue of hits.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with them this summer and to be bringing yet another fantastic concert to Canterbury. The Spitfire Ground is a beautiful venue and we look forward to an incredible evening there.”

Tears For Fears will be at The Spitfire Ground on Sunday, June 23.

Tickets go on sale from 9am tomorrow (Friday). They can be purchased at www. lhgtickets.com and www.ticketmaster. co.uk.