A CHORAL performance by chamber choir Cantores Salicium will raise money for the people, landscape and wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales.

The highly accomplished 'chamber choir for the Yorkshire Dales' will sing Handel's ever popular masterpiece, Messiah, with its lively choruses and poignant arias at Bolton Abbey on Saturday, May 14 for the Clapham based Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.

Soloists will be young singers from the Royal Northern College of Music and the choir, which is based in Long Preston, with singers coming from the surrounding area, will be accompanied on the organ by Shaun Turnbull, assistant organist at Ripon cathedral.

Cantores Salicium is this year part of the Festival of Europe - a cultural celebration spanning the diversity of the European continent.

Choir director Lindy Williams said the choir was pleased to be able to support the important work of the millennium trust, and to be part of the Festival of Europe.

“Once again it is a great pleasure for us to be able to support the work of Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust through music. This is a most important organisation in our community, providing diverse opportunities to many groups and working to preserve and enhance our surroundings.

“For the choir it is a great opportunity to sing a major work in the beautiful surroundings of Bolton Abbey. This year we are also pleased to be affiliated to the Festival of Europe, a nation-wide celebration of the cultural heritage that we share so strongly with European countries. Please don't miss what promises to be a joyful concert.”

Of a previous concert performed by the choir, a reviewer said: “I urge all who have the chance, go and see Cantores Salicium, they were fabulous!” and "This is an excellent choir, characterised throughout........by an impressively assured technique, a wonderful clarity of tone, great variety of dynamic and immaculate diction."

The concert will take place at The Priory Church at Bolton Abbey on Saturday May 14 at the earlier time of 7pm. Tickets cost £12 for adults and the price includes a complimentary interval drink. Under 18s are free.

For more information or to book tickets call YDMT on 015242 51002 or email info@ydmt.org.

Tickets can also be purchased at: www.cantores-salicium.org.uk; www.ydmt.org/shop, www.boltonpriory.org.uk; from members of the choir, and on the door on the night.

The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust describes itself as 'a small charity doing big things to support the people, landscape and wildlife of the Dales' and has more than 60,000 supporters.