Matthew takes final bow with Bath Choral Society

BATH, UK — Bath conductor Matthew Bale announced at the end
of last year that he was conducting his last Messiah concert for
Bath Choral Society.

This month sees him conducting his final concert with the choir
following 23 very successful years.

Matthew’s final concert will be in Bath Abbey on Saturday and
will include the Mozart Requiem and Exsultate Jubilate, and
Lauridsen Lux Aeterna.

Matthew has been only the fourth musical director that the
society has had in its entire 128-year history, and during that
time he has developed the choir from a standard provincial group to
a renowned force that has built an excellent reputation both
regionally and nationally for the quality of its performances.

Patricia Dunlop, chairman of the society, said: “Matthew has
been the heart and soul of the choir for nearly a quarter of a
century. Despite his long tenure, he brings with him a freshness of
approach which is as inspirational as it is effective. He directs
the choir with an infectious good humour, never an unkind word, but
with a complete determination to raise standards. Needless to say,
this balance between musicality and amiability has created the
ideal atmosphere for progress and for enjoyment. It has allowed the
choir to retain members with long service and to induct
successfully those who are having their first choral experience.
Matthew’s announcement that he was resigning was met with genuine
sadness, but an understanding that he felt the need to move on and
develop his other musical talents. The choir will miss his music
and his goodwill and is grateful for his legacy.”

Throughout his time with the choir, Matthew’s violinist wife
Lorna Osbon has led the Lorien Ensemble in the annual performance
of Handel’s Messiah Lorna Osbon has led the orchestra more than 80
times in Bath Choral Society concerts conducted by Matthew, in a
fruitful partnership throughout the past 23 years.