Durham Singers' Concert "Komm süsser Tod"

About

'Komm süsser Tod', the Durham Singers' concert for Easter 2025, will take place on Saturday 12 April at 7.30pm in the stunning venue of St Cuthbert's Chapel, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens.

Our programme on the theme of 'Come sweet death', which includes music from the 16th century to the present day, is initially explored through the motets 'Ich lasse dich nicht' and 'O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht' by J. S. Bach, along with 'Immortal Bach' by Knut Nystedt. Ethel Smyth's 'Komm süsser Tod', Caroline Shaw's 'and the swallow', Alonso Lobo's 'Versa est in luctum', and Francis Poulenc's 'Vinea mea electa' offer further rich reflections for the Lenten period.

The passion narrative culminates in the northern première of The Crucifixion by Tom Edney, our music director. Based on John Stainer's iconic Crucifixion (1887), Tom's thoughtful 2024 work, for mezzo-soprano, baritone, chorus and organ, similarly contains hymns – with original words by Mother Carrie Thompson – each one reflecting on the seven last words from the Cross.

We are excited to be performing with local professional musicians: mezzo-soprano Laura Oldfield, baritone Adam Hilton, and organist David Harris. Join us in celebrating different aspects of the traditional passion story.