While April is traditionally associated with rain showers, for the Ensemble Singers it will be ?showers of blessings? as the group prepares for its annual Spring concert, half of whose programme will feature spirituals.

In announcing the April 22 event, Ensemble Singers president Gary Phillips says that the highlight will be the presence of Canadian opera star, Measha Brueggergosman, whom he describes as ?a hot ticket? in international opera circles.

The concert will take place at Wesley Methodist Church, Hamilton, beginning at 8 p.m., and tickets ($40) are now available from the church office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday to Friday (( 292-0418), The Music Box, and members of the Ensemble Singers.

Miss Brueggergosman has been hailed by critics as ?a singer of rare gifts and artistic intensity?, and an artist who has an ?all-encompassing warmth and joy, melding honed artistry with youthful enthusiasm?.

Her voice is described as ?radiant?, and her stage presence as ?sovereign?.

She has sung internationally before royalty, including the Queen and the Prince of Wales; statesmen; in operas, and with some of the world?s leading orchestras.

Among the many prestigious concert halls at which she has appeared are the Kennedy Center US and Carnegie Hall.

The Canadian Broadcasting Company screened a full-length feature documentary on her, entitled ?So Much To Tell?, and she also starred in a short film entitled ?Go Diva!?.

The award-winning Mrs. Brueggergosman is also a recording artist.

The Ensemble Singers, formerly known as Word, are directed by well-known musician and choir director Lloyd Matthew.

Steps to feature Miss Brueggergosman in the Spring concert began two years? ago, and together with Mr. Matthew, the duo have created a programme of universal appeal.

?Originally we intended to feature only the works of composer Nathaniel Dett, an African Canadian whose forebears came up to Canada through the underground, and since Miss Brueggergosman is Canadian we thought that would be a perfect fit, but as we talked with her and exchanged thoughts we decided to broaden the programme,? Mr. Phillips says. ?She is going to be singing works by Ravel, Schubert and Mendelssohn, and together with the Ensemble Singers we will be doing ?Ave Maria? and a composition by Dett.?

The president also confirms that the second half of the programme will be dedicated to ?the traditional spiritual idiom, particularly by African American composers ? some familiar and others which are less well known?. Miss Bruggergosman will solo in some of them, while the Ensemble Singers will join her in others.

Proceeds of the event will go toward the Ensemble Singers? Music Education Award Scheme, which encourages young Bermudians who are studying music.

Expounding on the aims of the Ensemble Singers and the groups success in engaging the Canadian opera singer, Mr. Phillips says: ?It has always been our goal and objective to offer Bermuda a full range of musical options. ?While we have our roots in singing, and usually church music, under Lloyd?s influence we have been having a greater exposure to other musical forms,? Mr. Phillips says.

?About one and a half years ago a friend of mine, who is a composer and musicologist in Canada, told me about this wonderful talent and gave me her references. From that time we have been trying to determine the most convenient time in her busy schedule for Miss Brueggergosman to collaborate with us.

?We were flattered that she had heard of the Ensemble Singers, and that she was prepared to do a concert with us, so we began discussing what shape the concert might take, and we talked about some wonderful Canadian composers.?

The Ensemble Singers consists of approximately 30 male and female voices who, in addition to their many local successes, have also toured in Japan.