A SPELLBINDING choral piece by one the UK’s most admired contemporary composers is the centrepiece of Pro Nobis Singers’ summer concert.

Jonathan Dove’s dramatic cantata Arion and the Dolphin, commissioned only last year, is the fabulous focus of the Pro Nobis performance at St Mary’s Church, Ambleside, Saturday, June 18 (7.30pm).

According to the Greek writer and ‘father of history’ Heredotus, Arion was the clear winner of an ancient Greek singing contest, held in Sicily in the seventh century BC, and was rewarded with a sack of gold.

Unfortunately, Arion’s prize-winning cache caught the attention of the crew of the ship taking him home. During the voyage the sailors plot to kill him and steal his winnings.

Arion begged for the chance to sing for the last time before meeting an early death. He sang so sweetly he attracted an audience of dolphins and, throwing himself into the sea, was rescued by one of them, who took him safely to shore. The dolphin ends among the stars, as the constellation Delphinus.

Highly regarded musician and Pro Nobis conductor Clive Walkley has assembled an exciting cast for the much-awaited performance. The title role will be sung by the up-and-coming countertenor Iestyn Morris, while the two-piano accompaniment brings the acclaimed Longfordbrown duo up from London.

The dolphins will be represented by the young voices of Poco Amabile, the junior section of the award-winning Amabile girls choir, under the direction of Hannah Fleming.

The dynamic pianists James Longford and Lindy Tennent-Brown will be put to the test by the other highlight of the Natland-based choir’s exciting programme: Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms.

Complex and surprisingly lyrical, the 1930 masterpiece is based on Psalms 38, 39, 40 and 150 and is sung in Latin.

Jonathan Dove is a favourite of Pro Nobis, which specialises in early music and 20th century and contemporary composers. Arion and the Dolphin is full of attractive melodies and easy to appreciate on first hearing.

Clive says it is a privilege to be able to bring such superb pieces of music to Cumbria. “Arion is very new and has never been heard here before and the Stravinsky never before in the two-piano version,” he adds.

“We’ve hugely enjoyed rehearsing them and I’m confident the audience - however new they are to modern and 20th Century choral music - will love the result.”

Pro Nobis will also sing works by Norwegian-born Ola Gjeilo, the ever-popular Estonian Arvo Pärt, and local composer Bob Duffield, who sings in the choir. The Longfordbrown duo will contribute works by Elgar and Stravinsky and Poco Amabile will perform pieces from their repertoire.

Tickets are available from choir members, Northern Lights Stained Glass, Blackhall Yard, Kendal, Fellview Stores, Church St, Ambleside, or from 01539-723482.