STAVELEY Choral are upping the ante once more.

Following last year's highly ambitious recreation of Handel’s Messiah with Kendal College, the progressive choral society stages Mozart's Requiem in Words and Music, on Saturday, March 28 (7.30pm) at St Martin’s Church, Bowness.

Staveley Choral has built a reputation for innovative and dramatic performances of choral music.

Directed by Rachel Battersby and conducted by Philip Burton, together with professional soloists and actors, this latest work sounds like another evening not to be missed as the last years of Mozart’s life are explored through music and drama.

Playing Mozart is rising young theatrical star Luke Sharples, who shone brightly in last year's Kendal College production of Sunshine of Leith.

Well-known Lakeland actor Denis Bland takes the part of Italian composer, conductor and teacher, Antonio Salieri. Denis was a member of the much-missed Brewery Theatre Company, which staged umpteen memorable shows and gave value for money on many occasions.

In the role of Mozart's wife, Constanze, is Lauren Davey, currently working with Purple Coat Theatre Company in two productions - Hamlet (playing Osric) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia), which tour to Liverpool and Dublin in April. Lauren has performed on stage and screen, and lectures in acting at Kendal College.

The Staveley production is set against the background of Mozart’s life and the mystery and myth surrounding his death. It asks was he writing his own requiem, was he poisoned by his rival, Salieri and what about his preoccupation with death, money and the mysterious visits of a messenger? All this set against his extraordinary creative output in 1791 - the year he died.

"Last year's performance of the Messiah was an extraordinary evening," explained musical director Philip.

"Like the Messiah, I have always felt that Mozart’s Requiem is crying out to be staged against the backdrop of the myths and mysteries surrounding the commissioning and composing of this very dramatic masterpiece. With the support of Rachel Battersby, who will direct the drama, we will recreate those last years of Mozart’s life when he was pre-occupied with death, money, his deep love for his wife but at the same time composing an astonishing output of operas, concertos and choral music.

"But Staveley Choral, as well as beginning to establish a reputation for doing radical and contemporary interpretations, always aims to include local people so yet again we have encouraged local singers to be part of this performance."

The Staveley society is more than 100 years old and has a proud history working in partnership with other organisations to bring together the local community and local talent to present a wide range of music and sometimes drama to the public. The society challenges members with new and exciting productions to keep them inspired and versatile.

Tickets are available from Helen’s Chocolates, Bowness; Staveley Pharmacy; Thomson, Hayton, Winkley Estate Agents in Windermere or by telephone on 01539-821297.