Nottingham Festival Chorus presents

Gounod Messe Solennelle de Sainte-Cécile

Saturday 30th January 2027
St Mary’s Church, Lace Market, Nottingham City Centre

6pm

This January, prepare to step into the streets of Paris to be charmed and delighted by Charles Gounod’s grand mass setting for choir, orchestra and soloists – described by Camille Saint-Saëns as a work of ‘simplicity, grandeur and serene light’. This, alongside Cesar Franck’s bombastic and romantic Psalm 150, and Gabriel Faure’s tranquil Pavane and Cantique de Jean Racine, will make for an evening not to be missed. Book your tickets now for a choral feast in the heart of Nottingham, at the beautiful St Mary’s in the Lace Market, it’s sure to warm even the chilliest night.

Rachel Parkes, Conductor

Henry Parkes, Organist

With the Nottingham Concert Orchestra

Soloists:

Eri Gwilym, Soprano Soloist

Thomas Elwin, Tenor Soloist

London-born tenor Thomas Elwin is recognised for his warm lyric voice, expressive musicianship and compelling stage presence, with a career spanning leading opera houses, concert platforms and festivals across Europe.
Recent operatic engagements include Alfredo in La Traviata for Opera Glass Works, Rodolfo in La Bohème, Gennaro in Lucrezia Borgia and Canio (cover) in Pagliacci with English Touring Opera, as well as Borsa in Rigoletto for English National Opera and Opera North and Arturo in Bellini’s La Straniera with Chelsea Opera Group.
On the concert platform, recent and forthcoming engagements include Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius with Sinfonia Smith Square, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at the Cheltenham Festival, Verdi’s Requiem in the cathedrals of St Albans, Ely and Canterbury, an Opera Gala with Ermonela Jaho and the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Messiah with the Hallé. He has appeared as a soloist with the Munich Philharmonic, City of London Sinfonia at the BBC Proms, and alongside Barbara Hannigan.
Thomas’s debut recital album, Le vase brisé, was released by Voces8 Records in 2025, with forthcoming recordings including Strauss songs and Britten’s Abraham and Isaac.
Earlier highlights include Lensky in Eugene Onegin at Opera Holland Park and West Green House Opera, Oronte in Alcina at Glyndebourne, Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore with Wild Arts, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni at English National Opera, and Sam Kaplan in Street Scene at Oper Köln.
A former chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral, Thomas was a co-founder of VOCES8. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music and Solti Accademia Bel Canto and is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Alex Jones, Bass Soloist

Alex has completed, with distinction, a Masters in Vocal Studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama where he studied with Marilyn Rees, and was awarded a Concert Recital Diploma for outstanding performance in his final recital. He enjoys a varied career working across the UK and internationally with ensembles such as The Dunedin Consort, Britten Sinfonia and The English Concert amongst others. He recently travelled to Spain with the Armonico Consort to sing Aeneas in Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas as part of the Peniscola Festival of Early and Baroque music. Additionally his solo work has taken him throughout the country performing works from Bach to Verdi and everything in between. This summer he will be involved in an internationally touring production of The Barber of Seville in the title role and was recently involved in the Armonico Consort’s production of Purcell’s King Arthur, and will be returning to the 3 choirs festival to sing Mozart’s Requiem, having previously stepped in to do the Bass solo in Elgar’s The Kingdom at the 2024 Worcester Festival.

The Festival Chorus (NFC)

The Venue: St Mary’s is Nottingham’s greatest medieval building and an essential stop on any visit to the city. At the heart of the city’s vibrant Lace Market district, attracting visitors for its architectural splendour, the diverse range of events and concerts, and its renowned tradition of choral singing.

Tickets: Full £16, Conc. £15, Students £5, Under 18’s free

We’re happy to offer a complimentary ticket for a registered carer accompanying a ticket holder who requires support. To reserve a free carer ticket please phone the office.