THE WORLD PREMIERE performance of a new work will mark the opening concert of St Albans Choral Society s new season next week. Ad Lucem: a Canticle of Light has been commissioned by Alan McGlynn and dedicated to the memory of his wife Mary, who was a dedi

THE WORLD PREMIERE performance of a new work will mark the opening concert of St Albans Choral Society's new season next week.

Ad Lucem: a Canticle of Light has been commissioned by Alan McGlynn and dedicated to the memory of his wife Mary, who was a dedicated member of the choir.

Cecilia McDowall, the society's Composer-in-Association, wrote the piece using words taken from religious texts, poets and philosophers.

Scored for soprano, chorus and string orchestra, it reflects Alan and Mary's support for Amnesty International, particularly the charity's motto: 'It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.'

The programme will continue in a spiritual theme with Dona Nobis Pacem by Latvian composer Peteris Vasks, Joseph Haydn's Missa Brevis St Joannis de Deo and Gerald Finzi's In Terra Pax which uses words from St Luke's gospel to depict a scene from the first Christmas. Two orchestral pieces from Mozart and Debussy will complete the evening.

Rebecca Rudge, who was trained at the National Opera Studio and has performed at the Royal Festival in London, will sing soprano. She will be accompanied by baritone Andrew Rupp, who studied at Cambridge and made his debut with the British Youth Opera. Musical director of the Choral Society George Vass will be conducting.

The concert will be held on Saturday October 24 at St Saviour's Church in Sandpit Lane at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at �17 and �15 with concessions at �14 and �12 and are available from the SACS ticket line on 07884 231958 or on the door.