A DRAMATIC and moving concert in Malmesbury took place to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War.
Residents enjoyed The Armed Man, a mass by popular composer Karl Jenkins on April 21 at Malmesbury Abbey.
Malmesbury singers performed to a sell-out audience for an electric night of music.
A thunderstorm raging outside the ancient building added to the musical atmosphere of battle created inside by the percussion and instrumentalists of The Bristol Ensemble orchestra.
The choir was also supported by the rare talent of nationally renowned soprano soloist Hannah Davey.
The music was interspersed with readings of war poems by local actors Jacqueline Tong, Nikki Kelly and Anthony Smee.
Conductor Iain Duffin explained the reason for combining poetry with this music: "The Mass is entitled 'A Mass for Peace'.
"Much of our famous war poetry dwells on the negative side of war, the suffering, the futility and the horror of it.
"I thought that to bring the two ideas together was an excellent fit."
A combination which the audience appreciated: Richard Venn, there on the night, remarked :"It's one of the most amazing concerts I have ever been privileged to attend.
"An emotional roller-coaster."
."
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