AN OPERA singer who created his latest album in Reading will be showcasing tracks from it in a special concert taking place next month.
Brindley Sherratt will be joined by members of Reading Phoenix Choir and the Berkshire Youth Choir, fresh from their appearances at Edinburgh International Festival, and conducted by Christopher Hann.
It includes pieces from Refuge, as well as opera classics.
The album is a collection of songs inspired by Brindley’s faith and in tribute to his parents, reflecting on his childhood singing in church choirs and with the Salvation Army.
Released on Citadel Promotions, the album was recorded in January, and features music that he says helped him through the pandemic. It includes works such as Deep River, He Hideth my Soul and The Lamb by William Blake, which features a new verse written by the prolific Salvation Army lyricist, Peter M Cooke.
“This album takes me back to my childhood as a young lad growing up in a small town on the outskirts of Manchester,” he says.
“It’s a thank you to my mum and dad, who brought me up in a Salvation Army family where my Sundays started early, were very noisy, wonderfully musical, thoroughly exhausting, and above all else, fun. In April 2020 my and everyone else’s lives changed significantly.
“Covid caused opera houses and concert halls across the globe to close their doors. Our world was thoroughly shaken.”
He says that although he no longer attends the Sally Army, he still has a faith – “even if a wobbly one at times”.
“Some of the Psalms were particularly helpful during those scary nights when my wife and I both became very ill with the virus,” he explains.
“Two old songs from the Sally Army song book my Dad used to sing from also became a comforting ear-worm: He Hideth my Soul in the Cleft of the Rock, and It is well with my soul.
“In this album we’ve included some of those old Salvation Army songs but given them a little 21st century shine, alongside other more recent songs that are sung in churches the world over which we’re presenting as new arrangements from Stephen Bulla.
“Some are tender and others we’ve given the full-throated operatic treatment. Some you may know, many you may not.
“Some are quaint, some sublime but whatever you think, I hope that maybe even one line might be your comforting earworm when it’s all a bit shaky.”
The show takes place at Reading Town Hall in Blagrave Street on Saturday, September 10. Tickets cost £16 or £12.
For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to whatsonreading.com
