John Henry Newman was a Church of England priest who in 1845 converted to Roman Catholicism. For the last forty years of his life he lived at the Oratory he had built in Birmingham. During this time, in 1865, he wrote his poem The Dream of Gerontius. It described how his Roman Catholic faith understood the journey from death to the state of purgatory. This was a controversial belief - for the Church of England's Thirty Nine Articles had described purgatory as a fond thing vainly invented. Elgar, a Roman Catholic, lived near Birmingham and was commissioned to compose for its Triennial Festival in 1900. He chose Newman's poem and his Gerontius was first performed in front of a Birmingham audience.
We heard three superb soloists supported by the might of Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Chorus give their final concert of the season. Toby Spence as Gerontius began by praying that he was near to death whilst the Chorus responded. Before long Alan Opie as The Priest was singing Go forth upon thy journey, Christian soul!
The second half began with the Soul of Gerontius describing his new state and was greeted by Sarah Connolly as his Guardian Angel - My child and brother, hail! Gradually the Soul was prepared to go before its judge and we heard the full blast of the Choir of Angelicals sing Praise to the Holiest in the height. Into purgatory as the Angel sang Be brave and patient on thy bed of sorrow; swiftly shall pass thy night of trial here, and I will come and wake thee on the morrow. Farewell, farewell!
A very fine concert to conclude Peter Oundjian's third season in charge.
Performance: Friday 29th May 2015 at 7.30pm