THE BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales welcomes back their former musical director, Mark Wigglesworth, for a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius on Friday, November 7.

The concert follows Mark Wigglesworth’s appearance at this year’s BBC Proms in London, where he conducted BBC NOW in a critically acclaimed performance of Elgar’s First Symphony. Now, returning to Cardiff’s St David’s Hall, Wigglesworth leads the massed forces of the Orchestra and Chorus to explore one of Elgar’s best-loved choral works.

Musical Director of BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales between 1996 and 2000, Mark Wigglesworth is one of the UK’s foremost conductors – and has recently been appointed as Music Director at English National Opera, joining the company in September 2015.

Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius is a large-scale choral work, based on a poem by John Henry Newman, depicting the journey of Gerontius from his deathbed to his judgement before God. In this masterpiece, the Chorus play multiple roles in the story – as angels, friends, souls in purgatory, and even demons.

The role of Gerontius is played by English tenor Peter Hoare. Swedish mezzo-soprano Anna Larsson plays the Angel, and English bass Peter Rose plays the priest and the Angel of the Agony.

Tickets to the performance range from £10 to £32 with discounts available, and you can get yours through the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience line on 0800 052 1812.

Tickets are also available through the St David’s Hall box office on 02920 878444 or online at stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk. Tickets booked through St David’s Hall are subject to a Ticket Service Charge of £2.95 per transaction.

The concert will be broadcast on Live in Concert on BBC Radio 3, and will be available for 30 days after broadcast via BBC iPlayer Radio.