Latest News

Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra is making a much-anticipated return this summer with a sea-inspired concert at Christ Church, Bayston Hill, on Wednesday, June 25th at 7:30pm. The evening will feature a captivating programme themed around the ocean, showcasing some of the most evocative and challenging works in classical music. At the heart of the concert is a special performance of Edward Elgar’s hauntingly beautiful song cycle Sea Pictures, performed by celebrated mezzo-soprano Siân Griffiths.

This concert offers a rare opportunity to hear Siân Griffiths perform in an intimate local setting before she takes the national stage later this year. Siân will make her debut with English National Opera this autumn at the London Coliseum in director Calixto Bieito’s bold new production of Carmen. She will sing the role of Mercédès and also cover the title role, marking an exciting step in her rising operatic career. Siân, who graduated from the prestigious National Opera Studio as a Young Artist in 2022, is already well known to audiences in Shrewsbury and recently performed as Dorabella in Opera North’s production of Così fan tutte.

In addition to Sea Pictures, the orchestra will perform Benjamin Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from his opera Peter Grimes and Claude Debussy’s impressionistic masterpiece La Mer. Britten’s Peter Grimes, first performed in 1945, is considered one of the most important British operas of the 20th century. The Sea Interludes are standalone orchestral pieces that portray the changing moods of the sea and reflect the emotional and psychological turmoil of the opera’s central character. The music is both dramatic and atmospheric, offering a glimpse into the themes of alienation and human struggle that lie at the heart of Britten’s work.

Debussy’s La Mer, composed between 1903 and 1905, is a stunning example of musical impressionism—though Debussy himself rejected that label. The piece uses innovative orchestration and harmonic language to paint a vivid picture of the sea in all its moods. From gentle ripples to powerful waves, La Mer evokes a sense of awe and wonder, transporting listeners across vast and mysterious waters.

Conductor John Moore, who leads the Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra, says this ambitious programme will be a true showcase for the ensemble’s talents. Composed of skilled amateur and peripatetic musicians, the orchestra has taken on the challenge with enthusiasm and precision. Moore is particularly excited to welcome Siân Griffiths to perform with the group, highlighting the emotional depth and musical richness of Elgar’s Sea Pictures as a concert highlight.

“This concert is a journey through the soul of the sea,” says Moore. “From Debussy’s shimmering impressionism to Britten’s dramatic coastlines and Elgar’s lyrical settings, the audience will be swept away by the music’s power, mystery, and beauty.”

Tickets for the concert are available at £16.50 for adults and £2 for children via TicketSource:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shrewsbury-symphony-orchestra