The award-winning University of Newcastle Chamber Choir will present one of the great Russian masterpieces this week in their first concert for 2011.

The Choir, directed by Dr Philip Matthias, will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers in the evocative atmosphere of Newcastle’s Christ Church Cathedral.

The concert is a great opportunity to hear the winners of the 2010 World Choir Games perform a major work that is not often heard live.

“This work has all the majestic grandeur and high emotion for which Russian music is famous and is very demanding on the performers,” said Dr Matthias.

“It demands accomplished singers with stamina and emotional commitment. The music requires bass voices that can push out those low notes that are a hallmark of Russian music.”

The University of Newcastle Chamber Choir will perform Vespers from 2pm on Sunday 1 May 2011. Tickets are available by visiting www.stickytickets.com.au or at the door.

Dr Matthias and members of the University of Newcastle Chamber Choir will be available for photograph and interview at the Christ Church Cathedral, 46 Newcomen Street, Newcastle at 1.15pm on Wednesday 27 April 2011.

For more information contact Dr Matthias on 0448 019 591 or Phillippa Miskiewicz on 0422 149 316.