Elgar's Dream of Gerontius

The evening

What a line-up! Operatic stars Sarah Connolly, Roderick Williams and Benjamin Hulett join a super-sized orchestra and chorus, made up of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia, Voices of the River’s Edge, and non-professional musicians and singers from across the North East.

Edward Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. This epic piece of music tells the story of an ordinary man’s journey from death through to afterlife, finally meeting God. You might have heard it in the recent hit film The Choral.

Discounts: save if you’re under 17, aged 18 – 30, a classical first timer, or a group of 10 or more people. Check the details.

Running time: 2 hours, including a 20 minute interval.

Age: under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.

Edward Elgar The Dream of Gerontius

Dinis Sousa conductor Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano Benjamin Hulett tenor Roderick Williams baritone Tim Burke chorus director Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia Voices of the River’s Edge Royal Northern Sinfonia Massed Musical Forces of the North East

Elgar didn’t want to write church music – he wanted to write something more relatable, and something that would truly inspire awe and wonder. And The Dream of Gerontius really does do that, serving up truly spine-tingling moments such as Praise to the Holiest in the Height which might well bring a tear to the eye. Towards the end, Elgar has the tough job of depicting God. In this ‘Flash of God’, the composer asks the orchestra to play at it’s fullest force for one shattering moment… a moment that’ll stay with you long after the last note fades.