THE Albert Hall will be the romantic setting this Sunday for the Canberra Choral Society’s latest foray  into history with “Great Performances at the Albert Hall – the first 25 years (1928 to 1953).” 

The hall was opened in 1928, just ten months after Parliament House and was intended as a “place for civic and cultural activities”.

Readers may not credit this,  but some of the greatest stars of the era performed there, including European opera legends Lotte Lehmann and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf; and Australian artists Harold Williams, And the two Joans—Sutherland and Hammond.

Sunday’s performance will feature Canberra singers  Louise Page, Rachael Thoms and Rohan Thatcher performing repertoire from the historical concerts,  including two Schumann songs in English translations made especially for Lotte Lehmann by Australian Solicitor-General Robert Garran. The CCS chorus will revive the early days of Canberra’s musical societies with choruses.

“This concert will be a mosaic of musical treasures” says CCS artistic director Tobias Cole. “We’ve drawn on the history of the Albert Hall, and the richness of Canberra’s musical community, to put together a show with something for everyone – soaring songs, entrancing arias, toetapping choruses, beautiful ballet, lyrical cello and even a touch of Gilbert and Sullivan.”

Cole himself will become narrator. As he says, “There are so many great stories from this time in our history – some fascinating, some tragic, some quirky and some just unbelievable.”

“Great Performances at the Albert Hall,” at the Albert Hall, 3pm Sunday, April 7, tickets at the door.