Latest news with #Stanhope
The Age
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Choir tempts fate in fine style for 50th birthday
MUSIC Sydney Chamber Choir 50th Anniversary Gala City Recital Hall, July 5 Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM ★★★★ Celebrating a 50th birthday with a requiem is certainly tempting fate. However, it was worth the risk for the Sydney Chamber Choir to select Paul Stanhope's Requiem (2021), one of the finest of the many commissioned pieces from its first half-century, to be the major work in its anniversary gala. By splicing choral settings of six poems by female writers with settings of the Latin liturgical text, Stanhope has created a rich musical meditation on loss and hope that resonates with monuments of the Western tradition while honouring the expressions of Australian Indigenous culture as expressed in the words of poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal. The Introit grows from humble, chant-like passages to a luminously ecstatic moment in a manner that recalls the shape of Faure's Requiem yet within a totally different musical utterance. The next movement, a setting of Noonuccal's Tree Grave, mixed soprano Brooke Window's bright, pure sound with dragging Mahlerian lines from the small ensemble of harp, percussion and wind instruments. The Kyrie breaks away from this mood with sharply defined rhythm before florid passages welcoming rain by Neela Nath Das. The setting of Noonuccal's Song joined leanly expressive singing from tenor Richard Butler with delicately transparent expressions of pain from harp and woodwind before a brief but quickly suppressed outburst near the close. In contrast to the traditional reverential breadth usually given to the Sanctus, Stanhope conjures holiness with irregular rhythms and angular liveliness reminiscent of Stravinsky. The Agnus Dei, the emotional centre of the work, incorporates a setting of Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep by the soloists, underpinned by solemn intonations of both Latin and English words from the choir. Noonuccal's Dawn Wail for the Dead was preceded by a horn solo in burnished half-light from Euan Harvey. The last two movements return to the chant-like ideas of the opening, and the closing passages mix rekindled hope with lively bird-like snatches from the woodwind for Emily Dickinson's 'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers. Stanhope's use of vernacular poetry to humanise the Latin text recalls Britten's War Requiem but the expressive voice remains distinctively his own.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Choir tempts fate in fine style for 50th birthday
MUSIC Sydney Chamber Choir 50th Anniversary Gala City Recital Hall, July 5 Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM ★★★★ Celebrating a 50th birthday with a requiem is certainly tempting fate. However, it was worth the risk for the Sydney Chamber Choir to select Paul Stanhope's Requiem (2021), one of the finest of the many commissioned pieces from its first half-century, to be the major work in its anniversary gala. By splicing choral settings of six poems by female writers with settings of the Latin liturgical text, Stanhope has created a rich musical meditation on loss and hope that resonates with monuments of the Western tradition while honouring the expressions of Australian Indigenous culture as expressed in the words of poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal. The Introit grows from humble, chant-like passages to a luminously ecstatic moment in a manner that recalls the shape of Faure's Requiem yet within a totally different musical utterance. The next movement, a setting of Noonuccal's Tree Grave, mixed soprano Brooke Window's bright, pure sound with dragging Mahlerian lines from the small ensemble of harp, percussion and wind instruments. The Kyrie breaks away from this mood with sharply defined rhythm before florid passages welcoming rain by Neela Nath Das. The setting of Noonuccal's Song joined leanly expressive singing from tenor Richard Butler with delicately transparent expressions of pain from harp and woodwind before a brief but quickly suppressed outburst near the close. In contrast to the traditional reverential breadth usually given to the Sanctus, Stanhope conjures holiness with irregular rhythms and angular liveliness reminiscent of Stravinsky. The Agnus Dei, the emotional centre of the work, incorporates a setting of Mary Elizabeth Frye's poem Do not Stand at my Grave and Weep by the soloists, underpinned by solemn intonations of both Latin and English words from the choir. Noonuccal's Dawn Wail for the Dead was preceded by a horn solo in burnished half-light from Euan Harvey. The last two movements return to the chant-like ideas of the opening, and the closing passages mix rekindled hope with lively bird-like snatches from the woodwind for Emily Dickinson's 'Hope' is the Thing with Feathers. Stanhope's use of vernacular poetry to humanise the Latin text recalls Britten's War Requiem but the expressive voice remains distinctively his own.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
5 reasons to visit the 'historic' County Durham town with links to ITV's Vera
A historic County Durham town with links to ITV's Vera has been described as 'well worth a visit' by web users. Set amid the rolling landscapes of the North Pennines, Stanhope is a historic market town that combines natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a welcoming village feel, according to visitors. Known as the gateway to Weardale, Stanhope is placed for both exploration and relaxation. Stanhope is no ordinary small town—it is layered with centuries of English history. The Parish Church of St Thomas is a must-see, showcasing Norman and Early English architecture with later restorations. The churchyard is home to a 320-million-year-old petrified tree stump, one of three discovered locally—another of which is now in Newcastle's Great North Museum. Another top site is Stanhope Castle, a striking 18th-century structure built in 1798 for Cuthbert Rippon, former MP for Gateshead. Standing on a possible medieval castle site, the present-day building has had many lives—including as a school—and today contains private residences. While not open to the public, its presence dominates the town centre and adds a dramatic architectural note. Stanhope lies within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)—the second largest in England and Wales. It's a landscape of moorland, river valleys, waterfalls, and dramatic uplands. From Stanhope, you can explore the River Wear via walking trails, picnic along its banks, or venture into surrounding areas like Ashes Quarry for sweeping panoramic views of the dale. And in the summer months, visitors can cool off in one of only two heated open-air swimming pools in the North East—right in Stanhope! The Durham Dales Centre, located near the town centre, is the ideal starting point for any visit. Housed in a lovingly converted historic building, the centre features a tourist information hub, an excellent tea room, and a collection of local craft and gift shops. It's a great place to meet artisans and pick up handmade goods inspired by the surrounding landscape. The centre also hosts seasonal events, exhibitions, and workshops, making it a cultural anchor for the town and a warm welcome for visitors. Stanhope is the current terminus of the Weardale Railway, a heritage line offering scenic weekend rides between Bishop Auckland and the Durham Dales, with stops at Frosterley, Wolsingham, and Witton-le-Wear. This preserved railway line brings the region's industrial past to life, giving passengers a relaxed and nostalgic way to experience the countryside. Read more: Rare clouds seen over Darlington and County Durham as Met Office explains phenomenon One injured after major A1(M) smash near Darlington Darlington woman's four-year wait for new dentures amid dentist crisis Stanhope station itself is charming, complete with a tearoom, and has even starred as 'Partlington Station' in the popular ITV drama Vera. Train lovers, families, and anyone craving a leisurely ride through some of England's most unspoiled upland scenery will find this heritage journey a highlight. Every September, the town hosts the Stanhope Agricultural Show, one of the oldest country shows in England, first held in 1834. This traditional event—paused only for world wars and the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak—celebrates local farming, rural life, and community spirit. Expect livestock competitions, craft displays, equestrian events, traditional music, and local food stalls. It's a vibrant and family-friendly celebration of Weardale's deep agricultural roots and an ideal opportunity to connect with the area's rural identity.
ABC News
01-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Montevideo Maru mural unveiled in Stanhope to mark POW tragedy
For many years, Clive Toms had no idea his two uncles had died in Australia's worst maritime tragedy. Claude and Cecil Toms, from the northern Victorian town of Kyabram, were aboard Japanese prisoner of war transport ship the Montevideo Maru when it was sunk by a US Navy submarine, the USS Sturgeon, on July 1, 1942. The brothers were commonly known by their second names Howard and Hector, and were among 1,053 Australians who died in the tragedy. Mr Toms, 81, said it was a disaster his mum and dad never talked about. "It was shielded from us kids," he said. Mr Toms said his dad died when he was just 18, and he never really got the full story from him. "Mum remarried a few years later and if you ever asked any questions it was 'the boys are lost' and you knew very well there was no story going to come," he said. Desmond Crichton, who lives in the town of Stanhope, 15 kilometres south of Kyabram, lost his uncle Tom in the Montevideo Maru disaster. He said he knew hardly anything about its sinking when he was growing up. "My main knowledge comes from when I was living in Brunswick in the 1970s," Mr Crichton, 70, said. "I picked up the local paper and there [was the] story of the Salvation Army Band lost in the Montevideo Maru. In Stanhope there is a 25-metre-long mural honouring those who died during the disaster. The mural was unveiled in 2023. It stands opposite a memorial park with storyboards detailing those whose lives were lost on the ship. Stanhope RSL secretary George Gemmill said the mural, which was made by north-east Victorian artist Tim Bowtell, had put his town on the map. Mr Gemmill said a new storyboard about the discovery of the ship's wreckage in 2023 would be unveiled at the town's memorial park on the 83rd anniversary of the tragedy. Mr Toms said the mural had a profound impact on his Gippsland-based cousin Marie, whose dad was Howard (Cecil Toms). "She stared at that mural on the wall for 10 minutes," he said. "After that she started reading the words and stories on those storyboards. "Here were stories of men that were her dad's mates. "Now she could see a link for the first time. It was terribly important."
Bloomberg
20-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stanhope, Cheyne Near Deal to Buy LandSec's Prime London Project
Land Securities Group Plc is in discussions to sell Red Lion Court, a prime London commercial development, as part of its plan to dispose of £2 billion ($2.7 billion) worth of office assets and redeploy those funds into retail and housing instead. Alternative asset manager Cheyne Capital Management and developer Stanhope are expected to team up to buy the Southwark property overlooking the City of London, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing non-public information.
