THE spirit of France arrives in Ulverston next week in two tremendous and contrasting pieces of music.

Ulverston Bach Choir perform Charles Gounod's St Cecilia Mass and Requiem by Maurice Durufl at the parish church on Saturday, November 26 (8pm).

When Gounod wrote his St Cecilia Mass in 1855, he had just embarked on a part of his career that had placed him in the forefront of French operatic composers.

In the mass, he produced rich, operatic music, with bold unison choruses and dramatic interventions from the soloists.

Meanwhile, the Durufl Requiem, commissioned by his publishers in 1947, is a work of deep spiritual searching. It is music of great restraint, with plainsong as its inspiration; the hushed tones of the Pie Jesu for mezzo soprano with cello obbligato is a highlight of the work.

The Ulverston concert features four excellent soloists: contralto, Karen Cargill, who was a soloist at this year's Last Night of the Proms in the Albert Hall; soprano, Julie Flanagan; tenor, Paul Rendell; and Nicolas Zekulin, bass. Colin Dean will be the organist, with the performance conducted by the Bach choir's musical director, Alan Bolt.

Tickets are £6 and available from the Tinner's Rabbit Bookshop, Ulverston; from members of the choir; or at the door.