STROUD Choral Society will mark the end of their 2014-15 season with an evening of Italian classical music at the Sub Rooms on Saturday.

From 7.30pm, the choir will be performing works by Rossini, Verdi and Mascagni.

Rossini’s Petite Messe Solonnelle will be accompanied by two pianos and harmonium, the version always preferred by Rossini himself. Known for his gift of melody and sense of humour, the composer was often referred to as the ‘Italian Mozart.’ The programme also includes Verdi’s ever popular Va Pensiero, the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, from his opera Nabucco. It was this masterpiece which established Verdi as a major composer in Italy. The chorus became so famous that it was sung spontaneously by bystanders at his funeral.

The choir will be conducted by Huw Williams, Musical Director at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, and features soloists Emma Brain Gabbott (soprano), Cathy Bell (alto), Andrew Henley (tenor), Maciek O’Shea (bass). Ben Copper and Ed Turner will play piano and Simon Bell harmonium.

Tickets, at £15, are available at the Sub Rooms, or via: www.subscriptionrooms.org.