Portsmouth Choral Union News

The rousing sound of two natural trumpets was heard in ‘Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound’, the opening chorus of Handel’s ‘Samson’, performed by Portsmouth Choral Union and The Consort of Twelve, as part of The Festival of Chichester. The part of blind Samson was sung...

Thank you to all the choirs who took part - PCU, Portsmouth Portsmouth Baroque Choir, Fareham Philharmonic Choir, Portsmouth Cathedral Choir and Portsmouth Grammar School Chamber Choir, Solent Symphony Orchestra, and the HM Royal Marines Band all united on one stage...

It seemed that Portsmouth Choral Union was playing at home when they included two Portsmouth – related pieces in their Easter Time Concert at St. Mary’s, Portsea. The works were also connected to St. Mary, being Cecilia McDowall’s “Ave Maris Stella” and Ian...

Portsmouth Choral Union has a long tradition of programming Handel’s Oratorios, with their first performance of Messiah in 1896 and have subsequently presented it over 80 times.  They have though frequently ventured from the well-known to such works as the less often...

In recent years Portsmouth Choral Union has gained a reputation for introducing audiences to approachable contemporary works, and their forthcoming Easter concert is no exception. Alongside Mozart’s rarely heard Regina Coeli will be Cecilia McDowell’s Ave Maris Stella...

A bit controversial, this one. I am the founder, and sole member of the Society for the Restoration of the Reputation of John Stainer. What? Has he gone mad? What is he on about? John Stainer was an outstanding educator, choir trainer and organist - but he is mostly...

What more appropriate day for a concert than 22 November, the feast of St Cecilia, patron saint of musicians? A blustery, unpleasant day, but a warm, inviting venue, the glorious edifice that is St Mary, Fratton. A Victorian masterpiece of the famous architect Arthur...

  After the enthusiastic reception to PCU’s recent Elgar and Finzi concert, the choir will present their annual Christmas Concert, to be held as usual, at St Mary’s Church, Portsea. This year, for a feast of familiar and less well-known carols and seasonal music,...

It is no exaggeration to describe Portsmouth Choral Union’s November concert as a ‘Choral Extravaganza’ featuring as it does two major choral works by British composers: one quite familiar, the other less well known. Joining them in this concert will be the London...

Robert Mayo 21 June 2025 Over the past six months as a spectator, I have attended the weekly rehearsals of the Portsmouth Choral Union at the Portsmouth Academy for "A Night at the Opera" and have greatly enjoyed hearing fragments of the overall performance repeated...

The Chorus of The Hebrew Slaves (Va Pensiero) from Verdi’s opera Nabucco is arguably the most famous of all opera choruses, and it will once again justify its popularity in Portsmouth Choral Union’s forthcoming ‘A Night at the Opera’ concert. This, the choir’s summer...

Continuing David Gostick's innovative programming, Portsmouth Choral Union presented Sir John Rutter's 'Feel the Spirit' (2001) and Will Todd's 'Passion Music' (2018) at St. Mary's Church, Portsea. The two works have spirituals, which inspired the gospel music genre,...

Portsmouth Choral Union’s Spring concerts are always eagerly anticipated by audiences and especially so this year when they will be giving the first Portsmouth performance of Will Todd’s ‘Passion Music’. This jazz infused work is scored for a solo vocalist (singing in...

The festive season will soon be upon us, and to enter into the Christmas spirit why not join Portsmouth Choral for their December Concert at St. Mary’s Church Portsea.  A feast of family friendly entertainment featuring Castle Primary School Choir who will sing ‘Carol...

Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ at St Mary’s Church, Sunday 17th November 2024 Exactly the right amount of gravitas projected from the stage the moment Portsmouth Choral Union came on, most impressive and nicely understated, setting the mood for the coming drama. Everything...

It is only fitting that after Portsmouth Choral Union’s highly successful performance of Handel’s oratorio ‘Saul’, at this year’s Chichester Festivities, they should turn their attention to Handel’s successor as a composer of oratorios, Franz Josef Haydn. During his...

"Intrigue, back-stabbing and even a bit of murder" No, not the General Election but the ancient politics of the Kings of Israel, Most especially Saul, his son Jonathan and the young upstart David.  Handel built up his reputation in England as a composer of opera and...

As part of this year’s Chichester Festival, Portsmouth Choral Union will be performing Handel’s rarely heard oratorio Saul. Conceived on a large scale, the original orchestration of this work is lavish and includes instruments rarely encountered at that time including...