Chameleons come out to play with chorus

HENLEY Choral Society will be joined by some of the country’s leading freelance musicians in their next concert in February, writes Lesley Potter.

The Chameleon Arts Orchestra prides itself on being a premiere ensemble when it comes to choral music, and is made up of classical musicians who play in a variety of other orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras.

They perform regularly together at venues such St John’s Smith Square, Worcester Cathedral, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Ripon Cathedral and Snape Maltings.

The concert, called Jewels Of The 18th Century, includes Vivaldi’s Magnificat, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Symphony No 38 and a polyphonic piece by little-known baroque Czech composer Zelenka, Litanaie De Venerabili Sacramento.

Melissa Maple, who chairs the choral society, said: “We are delighted to be bringing the wonderful talent of the Chameleon Arts Orchestra to Henley for what promises to be an excellent evening of music.”

The 100-strong chorus is joined by Julia Sitkovetsky, soprano, Esther Brazil, mezzo-soprano, Guy Cutting, tenor and Peter Collins, bass. The concert, on Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm, will be held at St Mary’s, Henley. Tickets at £12 (under 18s £8) are available from the ticket secretary on (01491) 572795 or from Gorvett & Stone in Duke Street. For more information visit www.henleychoralsociety.org.uk