A Joyful Noise
Saturday 12 June 2027
7.30pm
(ends 9.30pm approximately)
St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds
A Joyful Noise
Britten's St Nicolas and Poulenc's Gloria
Kira Kaplan soprano
James Gilchrist tenor
The Facade Ensemble
Choristers of St Edmundsbury Cathedral
Chorus of children's voices
Bury Bach Choir
Benedict Collins Rice conductor
The ultimate choral spectacular, alive with drama, legend, and light
Prepare for a spectacular night of music as Bury Bach Choir fills the soaring spaces of St Edmundsbury Cathedral with two mid-twentieth century choral masterpieces bursting with drama, colour, and joy.
This isn't your typical solemn church concert. Benjamin Britten’s Saint Nicolas brings the epic, cinematic legend of St Nick to life — complete with stormy seas, marching choruses, and the miraculous tale of the three "pickled boys." Paired with Francis Poulenc’s luminous Gloria, famous for its infectious, jazzy rhythms and bright operatic flair, this programme shatters expectations to deliver a night of pure musical ecstasy.
Elevating this blockbuster performance are two world-class soloists. The legendary British tenor James Gilchrist brings his definitive, deeply expressive storytelling to the title role of Britten’s Saint Nicolas, while the radiant soprano Kira Kaplan takes flight in Poulenc's Gloria, lending her stunning operatic brilliance to the work’s most breathtaking, luminous solos. Together with Bury Bach Choir, they share the stage with the substantial orchestral forces of The Facade Ensemble, four pristine voices from the St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choristers, and a highly talented chorus of local school children.
From the intimate, spine-tingling moments of the youth choir singing from the cathedral gallery to the thunderous, roof-raising finales, this is a deeply moving celebration of theatrical storytelling and radiant, uplifting music. Spaces for this grand event in the breathtaking setting of the Cathedral are limited. Book your tickets today to secure your seats for an unforgettable evening.
All seats reserved
Booking opens 25 January 2027
Tickets £30 (Nave Seats), £25 (Front Side Aisle), £20 (Side Aisle). All tickets half price for 19-29 year olds.
Child tickets an adult buying a ticket may select to bring 1 or 2 children aged 8-18 free of charge (sponsored by Ridley Godfrey Foundation). Please note that this discount will apply automatically when you get to the checkout stage of booking.
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