Two Years On, The Classical Music Society Looks Ahead To New Challenges
Chamber concerts, choral events at Christmas, and two huge summer performances of challenging works like Orff’s Carmina Burana and Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man are just a few of the highlights of the first two years of the Gibraltar Classical Music Society.
With big pieces from Mozart and Beethoven on the horizon, we caught up with the directors of the society Phillip Borge McCarthy and Anthony Roper de Almeida…
The number of concerts hosted by the society makes it necessary to be reminded that it was only formed in 2024. They say this short period has seen them go “from strength to strength” by giving “high standard performances of works not commonly performed in Gibraltar, bringing new music to the Rock and musical challenges to our repertoire.”
Not content to turn to a short list of predictable and familiar classics, the society has embraced the challenge of works seldom encountered live in Gibraltar. They single out, in particular, the monumental summer performances of demanding choral works by Orff and Jenkins: "A definite highlight was performing Carmina Burana at the World War II Tunnels and last year's performance of The Armed Man was also a huge accomplishment for us.”
With sold-out concerts, a strong social media presence and a drive to make the music more accessible to the wider community, Phillip and Anthony say they are very grateful for “old and new” audience members.
They continue: “The support they have shown and the enthusiasm we have received from our concert goers have been amazing. Without them, what we do wouldn’t be possible. It has been lovely to hear all the positive feedback we have received from new audience members and how they were inspired by what they have heard us do thus far. Our regulars have commented on how much more accomplished we have become and how our standards have risen. Many of them have said that they can't wait to see or hear what else we bring which is really motivating for us as a society.”
In addition to the innovations and the unfamiliar works, one firm date in their performing calendar is the annual Christmas choral concert, a celebration of hymns, traditional songs and popular classics in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
“Our Christmas concert is always very special to us and to our supporters,” they explain.
“It’s what helps get our audience into the Christmas spirit. Our concert this year is filled with traditional favourites with a twist, with some old and new pieces featuring our 54-strong choir accompanied for another year by our guest pianist Gloria Hernandez. We are very excited to bring this music to our community and enjoy getting into the festive season with them.”
Looking ahead, the society’s plans remain very ambitious. Phillip and Anthony spill the musical beans: “We have a couple of exciting projects ahead. We are planning an opera choruses concert filled with great ensemble pieces from the opera realm. And we are planning an end of season with two classical standards performed around the world. We are also planning on revisiting the ever favourite Mozart's Requiem with a Gibraltar premier of Beethoven's 9th symphony, the ‘Choral’.
“Seeing that 2027 is the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's death, we have decided to take the plunge. We are very exited about being this project to Gibraltar and returning to our classical roots.”
Pics: Michele Paccagnella conducting Orff’s Carmina Burana, Phillip Borge McCarthy and Anthony Roper de Almeida singing in the same performance in the Spitfire Hall, World War II Tunnels.
