This Gerontius was the final Choral Union evening under the guidance of the ex-pat Hungarian Dr Béla de Csillery before his move to Kent, where he would take control of music education for the rest of his career.
The three soloists were quite notable at the time. The Australian tenor was a highly-regarded interpreter of Gerontius. John Cameron, also Australian, would spend the rest of his life in Britain. As a member of the Sadler's Wells company he toured frequently to Scotland as well as appearing with Scottish Opera. He later took up a teaching post in Manchester.
Marjories Thomas was one of the leading British contraltos in the years following the early death of Kathleen Ferrier.
The Union did not always import a fully professional orchestra, but for such large-scale works the engagement of the SNO from Glasgow was clearly justified.
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