On June 1st, Music Durham will ceremoniously open the 2018 Durham Festival of the Arts with an evening of magic, myth and mystery in Beyond the Realms. The concert will explore the fantastical and mystical on a journey from the Emerald City, to outer space, to Orpheus’ underworld, and will include enchanting performances from Choral Society, singing O Magnum Mysterium, NAME (New Art Music Ensemble) and more.
Beyond the Realms will feature Chamber Choir, performing Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Stars as well as a mash-up of songs inspired by the timeless film, the Wizard of Oz, followed by Concert Band’s rendition of Offenbach’s overture: Orpheus in the Underworld. Our award-winning a cappella group, the Northern Lights, will add a touch of magic with their arrangements of Dustland Fairytale and Bowie’s iconic Life on Mars. For this concert, DUOS are joining forces with Big Band for a spellbinding performance of some jazz classics: Ella Fitzgerald’s Dream and Frank Sinatra’s Witchcraft.
Our second concert, Earthbound, in Castle Great Hall on 3rdJune will explore music inspired by the beauty of the earth and cosmos. Tickets include a complementary drinks reception in Castle Great Hall, with music Divinity Quintet’s arrangement of Carnival of the Animals, a Disney medley by the Horn Society and Flute Choir’s tribute to mother nature: Over the Rainbow.
The concert itself is a synthesis of pastoral landscapes, featuring Brass Band alongside the Hill Orchestra, performing Strauss, Roses from the South. The Classical Ensemble will perform the Overture to Haydn’s Creation oratorio, whilst Dunelm Consort and Players have selected Ego flos campi by Clemens non Papa and Surge properaby Orlando di Lasso. They will also be joined by the Voice’s, with their rendition of Sting’s Fields of Gold. DUPO add a contemporary cosmopolitan twist to the concert’s theme with Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Finally, the Durham Dynamics will bring a touch of the extra-terrestrial with their space-themed medley, including chart hits Starships,Supermassive Black Hole, and Starlight.
Beyond the Realms and Earthbound offer an eclectic and exciting selection of music that showcases our incredible societies and celebrate their brilliant achievements this year. Tickets for both events are available at the Music Durham website, but HURRY they are selling fast!: https://www.musicdurham.org/events/2018-06/