Local music lovers will have the rare opportunity to hear some of Bermuda's most outstanding classical singers and musicians perform together in an upcoming concert.

Internationally acclaimed tenor Gary Burgess and talented soprano Marcelle Clamens are two of the artists performing in the Bermuda Heritage Concert on May 14 and 15.

And the upcoming production offers a wide variety of works ranging from Handel's "Zadok The Priest'' to Mozart's best-loved operas.

Trumpeter Tim Rhodes, currently a brass teacher at Saltus Grammar School and the Bermuda Academy of Music, will give a solo performance of "Let the Bright Seraphim'' from Handel's "Sampson'' along with Ms Clamens.

Mr. Rhodes has been on Island for the past two years, and said this was the first concert in which he's been asked to perform.

"As a trumpet player, you don't get a chance to do many solos -- there's only three or four worth hearing -- so I felt I couldn't let this opportunity go by,'' he said.

The Saltus teacher said the concert, which includes top professional players on the Island plus the best amateurs, gave local youngsters the opportunity to hear live professional play.

"The concert is amazing, especially considering the orchestra only rehearses with the choir for two days -- it's a tribute to the musicians on the Island as a whole,'' said Mr. Rhodes.

"And a lot of people don't realise it -- they think Bermuda isn't a place (that produces) classical music, and this sort of concert proves otherwise.

"Bermuda has the potential to be world class, just look at local talent like Kenny Amos who's Bermuda born, raised and taught.

"You don't have to go away to the States or London... but so sadly, many young musicians disappear off the Island at 18 or 19 and there's no incentive for them to come back.

"I've never turned down a classical concert in my life, and I feel very strongly about the Island's potential for music... hopefully my enthusiasm is beginning to rub off.'' Bermudian Gary Burgess, who has sung in most of the major opera houses in both the US and Europe, moved back to Bermuda last October after teaching voice and opera at the State University of New York for 25 years.

Although this is the first time he's performed since moving back to Bermuda, Mr. Burgess returned to the Island every year to perform while living abroad.

"This is a way of doing something different for Heritage Month... we have a diverse population and we need to service them all,'' Mr. Burgess said.

He will be performing Mendelssohn's "The First Walpurgis Night'', a piece sung in English and originally written in German by the poet Goethe.

Goethe's ballad depicts the continuing struggle between darkness and light, in particular old Druid culture and Christianity.

"This is a big piece, one that I've never been acquainted with before, and it's quite a dramatic piece,'' noted Mr. Burgess.

Conductor and musical director Marjorie Pettit said she had not presented this piece previously because it requires rather large forces for a relatively short piece.

"I have a small chamber choir of 50 and this is a challenging piece for a double choir -- that is, it has eight parts,'' she said.

"It requires good readers (of music) and is particularly challenging for the men. It's a work with a lot of drama -- Mendelssohn at his best.'' Mrs. Pettit said she was particularly pleased with this year's show since a group of young singers from St. John's Church will be performing.

And a group of Mr. Burgess' former students, including soprano Chris Vallas, mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Saunders, tenor Jeffrey Halili and baritone Tim Welch, will also perform.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at St. John's Church in Pembroke. Tickets are $20 available at the door or from the booking office next to the Ferry Terminal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.