Dorian Singers in Britain

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33869, 14 June 1975, Page 17

Dorian Singers in Britain

Fr.-m C. 5. COOPER, London correspondent of "The Pres:

LONDON. The Auckland Dorian Singers were acclaimed when they made their contribution to the ninehundredth anniversary’ of Chichester Cathedral this week. For the singers, with the plaudits of a nine-city’ European tour still music in their ears, performing in Chiches-

ter Cathedral was a deligr. and a highlight of thei. English itinerary. “The Dorian reetta emerged as a most notab' musical contribution to ou anniversary festivities.” sai' Mr John Birch, musica director of the cathedral. He was sure the choir's tour would underline for the English a recent decline in their established choral trad! tions. said Mr Birch, and he hoped the singers would return to Chichester.

The choir, assuming a national identity by travelling under the name “New Zealand Dorian Singers” has .now fulfilled four of its English engagements, which opened with a recital at {Marlborough College, where {the conductor, Peter GodTrey. was musical director {until his departure for New Zealand in 1958. The first London appeariance was a lunch-time concert in St Paul's Cathedral, 'where the audience of music-lovers and resident ’’New Zealanders was rein- ’ forced by hundreds of {foreign summer tourists, who {chanced on this bonus to ' {their sightseeing. •{ The choir is now in sight Lof the main object of this ■ tour, the fulfilling of an in'{vitation to sing at the Ben‘{iamin Britten Aldeburgh ‘{Festival in Suffolk next ’{Friday. >{ The invitation arose from ■'the singers’ winning of the 8.8. C. international radio ) {competition. “Let the J Peoples Sing.” in 1972. 1 After Aldeburgh the choir ‘{will return to London for J two final appearances, a 1'8.8.C. recording concert and ■ a farewell recital at the ■■'{New Zealand High Com- ‘ mission. v