David Hobson

“Wonderful blend of voices, our hearts were soaring” “A fantastic afternoon of great entertainment” “A concert not to be missed” “Very polished and professional”

After a three year gap David Hobson was again our guest artist, this time In A Celtic Mood at the Melbourne Recital Centre.

After a rousing opening bracket from the choir, David’s beautiful tenor voice entranced the large and appreciative audience with musical gems from Benjamin Britten’s Celtic Medley, made up of The Salley Gardens, The Ash Grove, The Foggy Foggy Dew, O Waly Waly, and Oliver Cromwell.

VicWelsh extended the concert’s theme with the Welsh tune Dashenka, complete with sound effects for the gipsies’ horses. Faleiry then came down from the conductor’s rostrum to accompany David on her harp with Suo Gân and Dafydd Y Garreg Wen.

The choir closed out the first half with the Australian song Pemulwuy, followed by When the Saints which gave patrons an opportunity to exercise their voices before the interval!

To open the second half David surprised all his fans by flamboyantly leaping straight on to the piano to mock-seriously tell the sad tale of Little Miss Muffet – with acknowledgments to Dudley Moore.  He then thrilled the audience with his sheer versatility with The Maid of Culmore (his own arrangement); Non ti Scordar di Me, music by Ernesto de Curtis; Mattinata by Ruggiero Leoncavallo; and finally Granada by Agustin Lara.  

The choir gave David a well-deserved rest by singing Yr Utgorn (the Trumpet) and the old favourites Aberystwyth and Gwahoddiad.

And then the star of the show was back, with the choir accompanying him on another Celtic medley with Shenandoah, Danny Boy, An Eriskay Love Lilt, a thumping Wild Mountain Thyme, All Through the Night and a rollicking Spanish Lady, the audience clapping enthusiastically in time with the chorus.  Another Welsh favourite Cwm Rhondda saw David once again joining with the choir for a brilliant finale.

Off David went, but his devoted audience had not heard enough. Thankfully he reappeared and, with the choir, reprised the song which he sings at Carols by Candlelight every year, the wonderful Holy City.

As the last note died away David acknowledged his fellow musicians Faleiry and Lorna, and the capacity audience gave them all a standing ovation.

As witnessed by many comments, it was indeed a superb concert:

I do compliment the choir. David Hobson as guest was a great idea. We really enjoyed the inclusion of the audience. Loved the harp.

Wonderful enjoyable afternoon, would come again from country Victoria.

Beautiful concert – glorious sound. Wonderful blend of voices, our hearts were soaring.

What a great concert!  The choir was a big hit. Loved the variety and camaraderie with David and the choir. The pianist was superb and choir leader talented. I really enjoyed this performance in this truly great auditorium. A fantastic afternoon of great entertainment. Many, many thanks to all.  Mary

I am very committed to the Welsh singing and love to hear the choir. Old fashioned am I, the harmonies were wonderful. The presentation was very good, the pianist and Faleiry gave their very best.

At 83 years of age we are very glad to be able to go to an afternoon’s performance rather than an evening concert. David Hobson – a great showman in the best sense of the word. A wonderful performance, so relaxed. We thought the pianist was excellent. Altogether a concert not to be missed.  Lois and Brian

I thoroughly enjoyed the choir and think it sounds very polished and professional.

Delightful and excellent presentation.

I felt the male soloist and the choir melded so well together.

Jack and I always enjoy the Welsh Choir concerts. You put so much work into it and it shows. We like the enthusiasm and friendly way you conduct yourselves, the way you explain what songs mean in Welsh/English. David Hobson in Celtic Mood was an excellent concert and great value. Keep up the singing, we like to hear it again.  Marta

Fantastic Wonderful.

The David Hobson factor prompted us to travel from regional Victoria to Melbourne for this performance. Usually we would only attend a performance of the choir in our nearest regional venue.  It was a most enjoyable afternoon – slightly informal which was good.

Wonderful venue, 2.30pm Sunday much better than evening

The Recital Centre is a great venue to see the choir.