Dynamic and enterprising new voices are a feature of Watford Philharmonic Society’s next concert at Watford’s Christ Church.

The Watford Phil are pleased to welcome soloists soprano Charmian Bedford, who recently took on the role of Belinda in an innovative Silent Opera production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in the tunnels beneath London Bridge.

Based on the concept of Silent Disco, the audience wore headphones and listened, simultaneously, to both a live performance and pre-recorded orchestra.

Charmian previously performed with Streetwise Opera last year in Fables – A Film Opera where she was joined by a cast made up entirely by people who have experienced homelessness.

Joining Charmian will be mezzo soprano Jeanette Ager, who recently sang the Angel in the first performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius in China, nationally acclaimed Cornish tenor Daniel Hoadley and Glyndebourne bass baritone James Gower, together with pianist James Sherlock, winner of BBC Fame Academy – The Next Generation.

The concert will include three major works by Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia, which has many similarities to the final movement of the 9th Symphony, while the Mass in C Major has been described as a ‘long underrated masterpiece’.

The programme also includes Shallow Brown, an arrangement of an English sea shanty by Grainger and the concert finishes with the exciting piece by Constant Lambert, The Rio Grande, which displays a strong jazz influence and use of the piano similar in vein to Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

The concert is at Christ Church, St Albans Road, Watford on Wednesday, March 23. Details: 07546 112 321, www.watfordphilharmonic.co.uk