Christmas Concert – Vivaldi, Pergolesi – Redditch Choral Society, St Stephen’s Church
WHAT a truly uplifting event this was – to be able to sit in Redditch and hear such a magnificent performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria played and sung live right in front of your eyes – in Redditch mark you – was a truly fantastic experience.
Not only that but we also travelled the world with a selection of carols courtesy of Studley’s St Mary’s Catholic School Choir before they returned for a medley of festive favourites arranged by the town’s very own music star Ruth Chan.
Vivaldi’s Gloria is a challenging work – a 12 piece jigsaw packed into 30 minutes of rousing music that has to be attacked from the word go and Redditch Choral Society rose to the occasion in style.
Accompanied by a professional orchestra, the choir provided ample backing for the wonderful soprano Katie Leaver, welll supported by Sophie Edkins, who together sprinkled gold dust over the entire performance.
The evening had opened on a festive note with the St Mary’s Choir singing a selection of five carols from as far afield as the Native American Hurons to the Philippines and then on to the sun blessed climes of the Caribbean.
The choral society then took centre stage for a rendition of Pergolesi’s rarely performed The Magnificat, a demanding piece which, under the baton of their 90-year-old director of music Alma Bright Clarke, turned into a triumph with soloists Brett Elemore and CF Cheuk particularly impressive.
The orchestra continued to shine with a performance of Handel’s The Arrival of the Queen Sheba, before the youngsters once again took to the stage for their medley of carols, this time backed by the full choral society which in brought a smile to everyone’s lips.
It was then time for Gloria to provide a truly glorious end to a wonderful evening.
Ross Crawford
