Grand Annual St David’s Day Concert
“REJUVENATION!” “my best concert in years” “contrast of sopranos with choir inspired” “music superb, pianist outstanding – I’ll be back!!”
A warm evening presaged the warmth and delight that patrons came ready to enjoy at Robert Blackwood Hall on 2 March.
The choir started off with the rousing Men of Harlech in Welsh first, then in English with the audience joining in, reading the words off the printed sheet or from the program. Throats having been suitably cleared, everyone sat back to a bracket of old favourites culminating in a new arrangement of Calon Lân.
Ambrose Morgan made the hall laugh along to Hymns and Arias, then our two sopranos Rhonda Yates and Melinda Ash blended their voices superbly to lead us into the beautiful Benedictus.
Suitably exhausted it was then time to sit back and be transported by Rhonda and Mel (below) in two beautiful duets, finishing with the Flower Duet from Lakmé which elicited huge roars of approval from a totally enchanted audience.
The finale from Les Mis is always a favourite – for the choir and patrons alike – and this occasion was no exception. Rhonda skilfully caught the pathos of Fantine’s I Dreamed a Dream then Mel, as Fantine’s daughter Cosette, tugged at our hearts with Castle on a Cloud. Roger Bartlett featured on the emotional Bring Him Home and, finally, the choristers and concert-goers alike were fired up with Do You Hear the People Sing.
There only remained Waltzing Matilda with Bob Ash and Roger leading the segue into the Welsh National Anthem and another magnificent St David’s Day concert brought continued and heartfelt applause from the appreciative audience. To shouts of “Encore” choristers marched off the stage to Men of Harlech before surrounding patrons to tenderly thank and farewell them with Eli Jenkins’ Prayer. We were humbled but pleased to see that many in the hall were visibly affected by the sheer emotion of being part of such a wonderful evening’s musical journey.
Faleiry (above) stepped off the podium and settled in behind her Welsh harp as Deputy Musical Director Lyn Henshall took over the baton for three lullabies. Stephen Lynn soloed on Suo Gân then Mel guided us All Through the Night. The choir finished with a well-modulated a capella Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi.
The next three songs were heard at last July’s Choir of the World concert, of which we were a part. The first, Anfonaf Angel was actually sung by Bryn Terfel, but we liked it so much we were given an arrangement by Ilid Anne Jones who was our guest conductor last year. The second, Pemulwuy was a new song for us as part of the Australasian contingent and which we thoroughly enjoy now we’ve mastered its intricacies – and clearly the audience did too, especially having received a first-class explanation of who Pemulwuy was by our erudite and versatile compère Drew Hopkins The first half then closed with a special arrangement (sung by 520 choristers in London) of When the Saints Go Marching In, the end of which featured the combined voices of the audience and our sopranos.
Another new tune Yr Utgorn (The Trumpet) blasted off the second half in great fashion and included some sprightly trumpeting from 13 year old Tom. Rhonda’s bell-like voice made us happy to be Back Once More in Dear Wales, then our small choir (Côr Bach) entertained everyone with an entirely new song Yfory (Tomorrow). On reflection, we should probably have sung the Beatles’ Yesterday before this….
The choir went a capella again with Myfanwy then it was time for some comic relief with Professor (promoted from Sgt) Pepper with a challenging Welsh lesson.
As the choir is lucky and talented enough to have within it quite a number of soloists, our next bracket, entitled Choir Kaleidoscope, featured a choir medley with Col Evans on the anvil, Barry McMahon being stout-hearted, Graeme Sanderson seeking help in his police work, Roger Bartlett nostalgically crossing the Mersey and old rockers Ed Hughes and Drew Hopkins racing their hotrod in Little Deuce Coupe.
Audience feedback included:
Walked in tired from a ghastly week – ten minutes and REJUVENATION. Rhonda and Melinda – superb! Loved the trumpet and great selection. We particularly liked the new young man – centre front, his enjoyment added to our pleasure, many thanks once again. ~ Anne
The best concert I have been to in years (heard in the Ladies’ loo).
We come to see the choir and were very pleased it was more choir-based this year – we did enjoy the soprano voices. It was a well balanced concert and we liked the ‘kaleidoscope’ part where individual choristers were featured.
A very good night. ~ Murray
Very good concert. ~ Frank
The second half was much better, a stronger performance and more varied. Loved ‘kaleidoscope’, and as always Rhonda Yates sang beautifully as did Melinda Ash. Segment of songs from Les Mis was great and beautifully sung.
The concert was excellent. ~ Roger
Wonderful concert. The duet from Lakmé just beautiful, keep it up.
Enjoyed the concert. The choir sound was good, loved Rhonda and Melinda. ~ Janet
The music was superb, pianist outstanding. (This is my 4th concert) I’ll be back!! ~ Ruth
Wonderful as always. ~ John
The concert was great. Loved the format – audience participation, humour (I’ve always loved the ‘up yours’ element in Welsh place names), beautiful harmonies – very relaxing. Sent us to the bookshelves to revisit Welsh history. ~ Friend of Jill.
My wife and I have attended all of the choir’s St. David’s Day concerts for the last 19 or 20 years. The concert last Saturday night was the best since those at Storey Hall in the 1990s. We do not need supporting acts, just the choir singing a mix of old and new songs. An excellent performance. Very enjoyable. Thank you. Sincerely, John.
I took my wife and parents along with me and we all thoroughly enjoyed the concert. My mum was particularly complimentary about your Les Mis medley, while the contrast of the sopranos with those of the choir voices was inspired. What was most noticeable for me though was how much you were all enjoying entertaining us! ~ Gareth
Congratulations for a most enjoyable St David’s Day concert – just wonderful. Excellent compère, warm capable and friendly. Benedictus and other lullabies simply beautiful. Even When The Saints, which I don’t normally like, sounded good. Stephen’s rendition (LlanfairPG) was done in a most entertaining way. The duets from Rhonda and Belinda were just beautiful – especially the second (from Lakmé) – it was so quiet in our section one could’ve heard a pin drop! I think we were all holding our collective breaths. Very impressed with the medley from Les Mis – with the addition of Rhonda and Melinda it was simply superb! I’m always impressed with Men of Harlech and the beautiful Under Milk Wood always moistens my eyes – so much better with the choir only a few feet away. ~ Stuart.