NANTWICH Choral Society will perform Edward Elgar’s masterpiece The Dream of Gerontius in Chester Cathedral on Saturday November 7.

The society will be joined by the Border Singers, the Lydian Singers and members of Romsey Choral Society - making a total of some 170 singers.

The oratorio calls for a large orchestra of typical late romantic proportions, which will be provided by the Northern Concordia Orchestra.

The important title role of Gerontius will be sung by the distinguished tenor Peter Auty who shot to fame as a boy chorister from St Paul’s Cathedral as the original voice singing Walking in the Air for Howard Blake's soundtrack to The Snowman. Now a tenor of international distinction, Peter has made many appearances with The Royal Opera and at Glyndebourne and is much in demand as a concert artist.

The part of the angel will be sung by Susan Marrs who has recently given a number of memorable performances with Nantwich Choral Society.

David Butt Philip, who recently delighted the Nantwich audience with a very impressive performance in Brahms ‘German Requiem’ will sing the parts of The Priest and The Angel of the Agony.

The Dream of Gerontius is an oratorio in two parts composed by Edward Elgar in 1900, to a text from the poem by Cardinal Newman.

Widely regarded as Elgar's finest choral work, it relates the journey of a pious man's soul from his deathbed to his judgment before God and his entrance into purgatory. John Naylor, Nantwich Choral Society’s music director said: “We are very excited at the prospect of performing The Dream of Gerontius – it’s one of the greatest pinnacles in the whole of the choral repertoire. "We will be delighted to be joined by such distinguished soloists, our outstanding orchestra and our friends in the other choirs for what promises to be a memorable occasion.

"It’s certainly very challenging, since the choir plays several roles - attendants and friends, demons, angels and souls in purgatory.

"Sometimes they are a single chorus in four parts, or as a double chorus in eight parts and at some points the choral writing goes into twelve different parts!"

For tickets call the box office on 01244 500959. For more information on the society visit www.nantwichchoral.org.uk.