A CHORAL society will be performing their spring concert at the end of this month.

Maldon Choral Society will present The Passion Of Christ on Saturday, March 30 from 7.30pm at All Saints’ Church in the town.

Musical director Gillian Ward Russell chose to perform the oratorio, which was written in 1914 by the English composer Sir Arthur Somervell.

She said: “I chose the Somervell because it is lovely to sing and tuneful to listen to, and in particular it gives the audience opportunities to sing hymns with us at various points in the work.

“It tells the story of Christ’s Passion and as such is appropriate for the period before Easter. In style and format it is along the same lines as the better-known Stainer’s Crucifixion. Although sacred in nature, our performance will be presented as a concert and not a service, and therefore I hope will attract both people who enjoy good choral music and those who wish to treat it as a devotional experience.”

Somervell was considered one of the most successful and influential writers of art song in the English music renaissance of the 1890s and 1900s. He is most famous for his adaptation of Handel’s Silent Worship, which featured in the 1996 film Emma, and his work shows the influence of Mendelssohn and Brahms.

A society spokesman added: “New members are always welcome and you can try for a few weeks before committing.

“This term’s rehearsals will be concentrating on preparation for the event.

“Feel free to come to one or more of our rehearsals and see what we are like.

Tickets cost £12 in advance from Maldon Tourist Information Centre or www.ticketsource.co.uk/maldon-choral-society. Alternatively, they can be bought for £14 on the door.

For more details, call 01245 226551.