CHATSWORTH House remains on the entertainment circuit in October with The Pirates of Penzance sailing in at the beginning of the month and the Abbeydale Singers having been invited to perform there.
The Sheffield-based choir will use their concert in the Chapel at Chatsworth House on October 17 as a serious warm-up prior to flying out to give concerts in the Czech Republic the following week.
Mainly performing a capella and now established as one of the foremost chamber choirs in the region, they celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2006 singing in Buda and Pest on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising.
One of their concerts this October in Prague is on Czech Independence Day, October 28.
Originally with a membership of 12 which became an almost fixed 16, the choir has recently expanded to 22 in a determined effort to add younger voices to its ranks.
Under music director and conductor Kevin Haighton, the choir's philosophy has remained simple, to strive for high musical standards and ensure everyone has a good time in the process.
The choir's 22-item programme at Chatsworth reflects its wide repertoire from the 1500s to the present day and, with an eye on the trip to Prague a few days later, includes a traditional Czech song, sung in Czech.
Elsewhere are pieces, sacred and secular, by Byrd, Weelkes, Purcell (Hear my prayer), Bach (Alleluja: Motet No 6), Lotti, Duruflé (Ubi Caritas), Stanford, Bairstow, Rutter (God be in my head), Vaughan Williams, Saint-Saëns, Pearsall, Billy Joel (And so it goes), Richard Rodgers (Blue Moon) and Henry VIII.
The harp-flute duo of Elen Prysor and Lois Putt have two strategically-placed slots to allow vocal chords to have a rest.
The concert starts at 7.15pm and there is a champagne reception at 6.30pm in the Painted Hall. Proceeds going to the St Peter's Church, Edensor roof restoration fund.
Tickets, £25 inclusive, can only be obtained by telephoning 01629 734 099.
Two weeks earlier, The Pirates of Penzance, directed and conducted by Andrew Nicklin, gets three fully costumed performances from the multi-award-winning Derby Gilbert and Sullivan Company over two days.
As there is an orchestra, an audience of only 140 people at each performance can be fitted in.
Tickets on October 3 are £35 (8pm) and, on October 4, £35 (2.30pm) and £50 (8pm). The latter is a black tie gala performance and prices include interval refreshments.
Bookings are through Derby's ticket line, 01332 735 980 or tickets@derbygsc.com
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