Members from six choral unions from the North West of England are to join forces with a Manx choir later this month for a special one-off recital.

The Manx Choral union are staging a performance of two of Mozart’s best known works, Requiem and Vespers on Saturday, May 20, in the grand confines of St George’s Church.

They are joined by members of choral unions from Lytham St Anne’s, Oldham, Sale, Bolton and Fleetwood, along with the the Lindow Singers, from Wilmslow.

Also featuring in the performance are four soloist singers, also from the UK, who have been described as some of the brightest talent in North Choral singing around today.

The special guest singers will be soprano Helen Lacey and Mezzo Sporano Lucy Vallis will be joined by Tenor Michael Jones and bass Andrew Johnson. They will be accompanied by organist Nicholas Roberts.

Dilys Watson, chairman of the Manx Festival Chorus, says that they are looking forward to wlecoming so many guest singers from England, and that the quality of musianship on offer will make the concert a must-see for fans of classical music.

’We are singing two pieces by Mozart,’ she said.

’Requiem, which is very well known, and Vespers, which is more difficult and quite challenging.

’We’re excited because we are not a huge choir,and we have members coming from lots of different North West choirs coming over at their own expense, to join us for these performances.

’When we get them to join in with our choir it really makes the most fantastic sound.’

The soloists are new stars. They have been recommended by the Northern College of Music, and hey are some of the College’s most up-and-coming, rising stars. They have given some electrifying performances. It’s quite exciting to have them here.’

The Manx Choral Union will be conducted by John Bethell, who has held the baton for 50 years.

Tickets for the show, which has been organised weith help from the Isle of Man Arts Council, are £10, and £2.50 concessions.