Chester Music Society Choir - Flood, Fire and Faith

Benjamin Britten's cantata tells the story of the life of St Nicolas (the original Santa Claus) from his birth, his journey to Palestine, his return to Myra where he becomes bishop, his persecution and eventually his death. One of the highlights is the episode of the pickled boys whom he brings back to life just before they are about to be eaten.

Noah’s Fire is a vivid and dramatic oratorio that places the action in Medieval Chester – rival guilds are competing to put on the most extravagant and elaborate mystery play, but in their rivalry are they forgetting the true meaning of the plays they are trying to stage? Disaster strikes the guilds and the chances of staging the play seem ruined, until help comes from the most unlikely of places…

This world première of a new work by composer Phillip Cooke and librettist Ben Kaye has been commissioned by the Choir in celebration of the Music Society’s 70th anniversary season and promises to be one of the most exciting and colourful events in the Chester musical calendar.