Magnificent singing crowns huge choral venture
By Allan Charlwood on Monday, 7th May 2012.
A near full Bury St Edmunds Cathedral audience greeted the combined forces of Haverhill and Sudbury Choral Societies, as they assembled to present a performance of Verdi's Requiem on Saturday (May 5).
This new venture has enabled the members of these two choirs, numbering some 145 singers, to experience performing such a large work and the success of this performance should encourage a further such venture in the future.
With four very fine soloists and an orchestra of professional standard players the resulting performance was excellent and the audience showed their appreciation with prolonged applause both at the interval and, especially, at the end.
The conductor’s rostrum was shared by the two choir directors, the first half by David Butcher from Sudbury, and the second by Jane Wright from Haverhill.
This did not appear to be much of a problem, bearing in mind that every conductor is different which has an effect on the performance. Both demonstrated their total control.
The chorus responded magnificently, particularly with clear diction, and at no time being drowned by the orchestra - rarely the case at Bury Cathedral when it is full!
The four soloists are already making their mark in the profession, all boasting a list of important engagements both at home and abroad. They were Fiona Hammacott (soprano) - a late replacement - Hannah Mason (mezzo-soprano), Ben Thapa (tenor), and Mark Saberton (bass). All four made a considerable contribution to the success of the evening.
The programme was unable to acknowledge two additional orchestral members, who were part of the very exciting build up to the Tuba Mirum by the brass section, providing off stage trumpet parts.
Let us all hope that this joint venture will not be an isolated event and look forward to another in the future.
This new venture has enabled the members of these two choirs, numbering some 145 singers, to experience performing such a large work and the success of this performance should encourage a further such venture in the future.
With four very fine soloists and an orchestra of professional standard players the resulting performance was excellent and the audience showed their appreciation with prolonged applause both at the interval and, especially, at the end.
The conductor’s rostrum was shared by the two choir directors, the first half by David Butcher from Sudbury, and the second by Jane Wright from Haverhill.
This did not appear to be much of a problem, bearing in mind that every conductor is different which has an effect on the performance. Both demonstrated their total control.
The chorus responded magnificently, particularly with clear diction, and at no time being drowned by the orchestra - rarely the case at Bury Cathedral when it is full!
The four soloists are already making their mark in the profession, all boasting a list of important engagements both at home and abroad. They were Fiona Hammacott (soprano) - a late replacement - Hannah Mason (mezzo-soprano), Ben Thapa (tenor), and Mark Saberton (bass). All four made a considerable contribution to the success of the evening.
The programme was unable to acknowledge two additional orchestral members, who were part of the very exciting build up to the Tuba Mirum by the brass section, providing off stage trumpet parts.
Let us all hope that this joint venture will not be an isolated event and look forward to another in the future.
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