ALLEGRI Singers and Players perform two great masterpieces for small choir at St Mary's Church, Crosthwaite, on Saturday, June 16 (7.30pm) and St Cuthbert's Church, Kentmere, on Sunday, June 17 (7.30pm). Handel's Dixit Dominus and Faure's Requiem are the main pieces plus three settings of Gerald Manley Hopkins put to music by popular choir director Owen Davies.

The programme was selected by choir members, in response to a request made by Owen, who is leaving the choir after 14 years as director. The choir was formed in 2004 and of the 19 singers at the start of their second year, 13 are still performing with the group: "We are a very friendly, though slightly anarchic group" says Owen, "and we clearly do something right." Allegri has sung more than 300 unaccompanied anthems and motets, and about 60 works with orchestra. The membership, open to all without auditions, has grown from the original 16 to between 25 and 30 members.