The University of Essex Choir is to join forces with the renowned Royal Choral Society (RCS) to perform one of Beethoven’s greatest works at two stunning venues in May and June.

The choir, which rehearses at the Colchester Campus, will sing Missa Solemnis with the Royal Choral Society at the prestigious Snape Maltings Concert Hall near Aldeburgh on Saturday 21 May and at St Albans Cathedral on Saturday June 4.

A quartet of distinguished soloists will perform the work with the choirs, supported by the Essex Sinfonia orchestra.

Richard Cooke music director of both the University of Essex Choir and Royal Choral Society will conduct the concert.

He said: “Bringing these two fantastic choirs together to perform such a beautiful choral work is a real privilege. It will be a major event in the artistic life of the University."

The University of Essex Choir was founded in 1977 and numbers about 150 singers. Members are drawn from staff and students of the University and from the local community.

The Royal Choral Society enjoys a distinguished place in the musical life of the United Kingdom. The choir celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1997 and is celebrated for its performances at the Royal Albert Hall and around the country.

To find out more about University of Essex Choir go to: www.essex.ac.uk/arts/choir/.

Full concert details:

Saturday 21 May at 7pm - Snape Maltings Concert Hall, near Aldeburgh. Tickets are £12 (concessions £8) to £23. To book tickets contact the Aldeburgh Music Box Office on 01728 687110 or email: boxoffice@aldeburgh.co.uk. Tickets can also be booked online at: www.aldeburgh.co.uk. Alternatively email University of Essex Choir via Lindy Strich at: lindy@uwclub.net

Saturday 4 June at 7.30pm - St Albans Cathedral. Tickets are £25, £20, £15 and £12 (concessions £12 and £8). To book tickets call 01727 890256.

Further information:

For further information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office on 01206 874377.

The University of Essex Choir website is: http://www.essex.ac.uk/arts/choir/

The Royal Choral Society website is: http://www.royalchoralsociety.co.uk/