Thrilling moments in Alexander’s Feast at the Three Choirs Festival

Three Cathedral Choirs

Geraint Bowen

Gwilym Bowen, Rowan Pierce and Geraint Bowen

By David Truslove, 31 July 2025

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“highlighted the drama within the grander choruses and vivid storytelling from the soloists”

Reviewed at Hereford Cathedral, Hereford on 29 July 2025

Handel, Alexander's Feast

Rowan Pierce, Soprano

Gwilym Bowen, Tenor

Gareth Brynmor John, Baritone

Three Cathedral Choirs

Musical and Amicable Society

Geraint Bowen, Conductor

Porpora's L'Agrippina offers momentary pleasures

Robert Gainer, 21st September

An opera only ever performed once, over 300 years ago. Would this be a marvellous revival, or a reminder of why it has been neglected all this time?

**111

Three Choirs Festival goes out in a flawed blaze of glory

Simon Cummings, 30th July

Adrian Partington directs a well-managed but ultimately disjointed performance of Mahler’s most idealistically challenging symphony.

***11

Britten's War Requiem haunts Three Choirs Festival

Holly Harrison, 26th July

As Britain prepares to celebrate the centenary of World War One, Britten's War Requiem brings a remarkable start to the Worcester Three Choirs Festival.

****1

The power of words: Mendelssohn’s Elijah closes the Three Choirs

Simon Cummings, 2nd August

The closing concert of this year’s Three Choirs Festival in Hereford delivers a dramatic account of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, showcasing the power of bass-baritone Matthew Brook.

****1

Turmoil and enormity: Dvořák’s Requiem at Hereford Cathedral

Simon Cummings, 23rd July

The Three Choirs Festival opens with a performance of Dvořák’s Requiem characterised by extremes of melancholy and hope.

****1

Disentangling pain and triumph, clarifying hope

Simon Cummings, 28th July

Geraint Bowen directs the Three Choirs Festival Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra at Hereford Cathedral in two works once unfairly dismissed.

****1

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David Truslove

After many years as a musician – conducting choirs, singing as a lay clerk at Winchester Cathedral and an involvement in education, David now writes programme notes, occasionally composes and enjoys a busy schedule of reviewing.