Upcoming concerts

2024-2025 season

During the 2024-25 Season of the Paris Choral Society, we will continue the celebrations of our 30th Anniversary when we will return to our very first concert and Handel’s Messiah, performed with an orchestra at the American Cathedral in Paris, along with the 30th Edition of our Messiah Sing-Along. 

In Spring 2025, we turn to the beauty and fragility of the Earth with works which reflect the (changing) sounds of our planet. 

To round off the season, in Summer 2025 we will perform Duruflé’s Requiem.

Download our Season at a Glance 2024-2025 brochure
SAAG-2024-25_EN_final.pdf

Upcoming concerts

Sounds of the Earth

Thursday 20 March, 8pm
Saturday 22 March, 6pm
The American Cathedral in Paris, Paris 8e

This a capella concert is dedicated to our blue planet. We will sing songs by composers who show reverence for our common heritage, the Earth, and bring to our attention the need to care and share it with all. Among them will be Charles Villiers Stanford, Jonathan Dove, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Benjamin Britten, and Alec Roth. CLICK TO READ MORE

Humans have always been drawn to music. Earth soundscapes were our first sources of inspiration. Yet these natural soundscapes are being depleted: the music and languages of tribal and minority communities are vanishing, as well as whole species of insects, birds, whales and wolves, our singing brothers and sisters.

We have endangered, often now eradicated, our musical sources. Hence this concert to pay homage to our precious planet and all who inhabit it.

Duruflé: Requiem

Saturday 14 June, 9pm
St Etienne du Mont, Paris 5e

Composed in 1947, Duruflé’s Requiem is scored for solo baritone, mezzo-soprano, mixed choir, and organ. At the heart of the Requiem's musical language is plainsong, specifically the medieval melodies from the Mass for the Dead which Duruflé knew so well. CLICK TO READ MORE

Duruflé’s stated goal was to retain the fluid, elastic approach to rhythm that is characteristic of chant, with its constantly fluctuating groupings of twos and threes.  The melodies are organically expanded and surrounded with impressionistic harmonies that at times seem to suggest “liturgical Debussy.” 

Duruflé wrote,  “I have above all sought to enter into the particular style of Gregorian melodies and have been compelled to reconcile… the rhythm… with the requirements of modern [notation].”

Duruflé’s work will be preceded by “Take him, earth, for cherishing” by British composer Herbert Howells after the death of US President John F. Kennedy. The piece takes similar themes, linking life, death and hope.

We are thrilled to be singing this concert in the church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont, where Duruflé was titular organist when the Requiem was composed.

Past concerts

Handel: Messiah

Thursday 21 November, 7.30pm
Saturday 23 November, 6pm
The American Cathedral in Paris, Paris 8e

PCS kicks off its fourth decade with a work closely entwined with its musical identity. The much-loved ‘Messiah Sing Along’ has been a yearly event since 1996, while the full oratorio, which will be presented in this concert, has been sung at the beginning of each decade, thus establishing a tradition. CLICK TO READ MORE

The breadth and magnificence of the composition,set for soloists, mixed choir and orchestra, does justice to the Passion story.

While it was written for Easter celebrations, this oratorio is also a Christmas work, celebrating the mystery and beauty inherent in preparing for the way of the Lord, the Annunciation, the joy and awe of the Nativity. 

The rise towards the dramatic force of the Passion and Resurrection have rarely been communicated in such a vivid manner, at once imaginative and empathetic, with the baroque flair for a credible climax.

Messiah Singalong 2024

Saturday 7 December, 3pm
Basilique de St-Clothilde, Paris 7e

Open rehearsal Monday 2 December, 7.30pm
The American Cathedral

Come sing Part One and the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah with us!

What is a “sing-along”? 

You, the public (supported by the members of the Paris Choral Society seated amongst you), get to sing if you want. Maybe you already can sing the whole of the Messiah, or maybe you can sing only bits and pieces of it, or maybe none of it. Who cares? Your pleasure will come from participating. Or if you wish, simply listening. Why not? Just imagine the thrill of being among 400 singers!

Each year, the Musical Director of the PCS along with the Cathedral Organist, Andrew Dewar, lead professional soloists and you, the public, for the mutual enjoyment of all.

We also invite you to our open rehearsal for the Singalong on Monday 2 December - please join us at the American Cathedral in Paris at 7.30pm to 9.30pm, no booking required!