Celebrating the Welsh, Irish and Scottish cultures in song, humour and passion
St David’s Day Celtic Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre: “I am happy as long as I can hear those wonderful voices.When the choir sings it is music to my soul!” “a spectacularly successful evening” “Enjoyed the variety” “outstanding – as always!” “lifted our spirit”
Drawing on the success of last year’s concert with a Celtic slant, this theme was developed to include a Welsh folk group, a group of Irish dancers and tunes and flags from all the Celtic outposts in the British Isles.
The roar of applause after the opening Gwŷr Harlech showed that the capacity audience was musically appreciative and hungry for more. Our guest conductor from Wales, Geraint Roberts, then took to the rostrum and, with wife Angela at the piano, launched us into What Would I Do Without My Music, a question asked and answered in the inimitable choral way. Two stalwarts of the Welsh male choir repertoire came next with the rousing Laudamus and the popular Morte Criste.
This was followed by the beautifully modulated soprano voice of Rhonda Yates (above in blue) as she soloed on Diolch I’r Iôr with the choir to great acclaim.
Tenor David Scott from Wales then gave the audience an unexpected treat with a sensitive rendition of If With All Your Hearts from Elijah by Mendelssohn.
Faleiry returned to conduct Gounod’s Sanctus with a pitch-perfect solo by soprano Melinda Ash (left) which the audience loved.
Then, by way of complete contrast, the thrilling sound of the Scottish bagpipes was heard at the back of the hall and piper Chris Bouwmeester skirled himself up on the stage before playing the intro to the powerful Amazing Grace. Once our ears had readjusted, the choir moved from ship to shore with a sensitive a cappella rendering of Ar Lan Y Môr.
The choir then took a rest and, along with everyone else in the hall, were captivated by the vigour and precision of the Cosgriff Irish Dancers. With a combination of soft and hard shoe dancing, they were an aural and visual feast for all the senses, defying anyone not to get their own toes tapping.
The second half opened with the sense of longing all people feel for their homeland and Welshman Stephen Lynn’s plaintive tenor voice in Hiraeth goose-bumped the entire hall. It certainly had the desired effect on the conductor as Faleiry was moved to give the soloist a Welsh hug. And then another assault on our emotions as Rhonda’s voice soared in the welcome back song Unwaith Eto’n ’Nghymru Annwyl.
Tears and makeup were attended to, tissues balled up and relocated before Faleiry composed herself to go and sit at the Welsh harp to play with the Welsh folk group Pendragon Dreaming. Spirited performances of Hen Ferchetan and Nyth Y Gôg were followed by Owen Huw’s Hornpipe with a display of Welsh clog dancing by Lauren Ash, followed by the traditional Ffair y Dorth. Instrumental versatility was evident in Gawain switching from double bass to guitar, Siân from flute to violin and Pedr combining vocals with the ladies while managing both the guitar and didge (pictured left to right: Pedr, Gawain, Siân, Faleiry).
Geraint returned to the rostrum to conduct the choir in the liltingHafan Gobaith, made famous by Bryn Terfel, and the stirring and patriotic O Gymru, a new song for the choir and which was received very warmly.
Then we were into our finale of a Celtic Kaleidoscope to showcase various soloists and Celtic tunes, complete with their respective flags being waved. Melinda switched languages from Latin to Welsh to once again display her angelic voice on Y Nefoedd (Heaven).
Bass Graeme Sanderson represented the Cornish with a wonderfully modulated and dramatic version of Trelawny with the choir coming in with the chorus.
Even the Celtic outpost of the Isle of Man offered a lovely haunting tune in Ellan Vannin with a very accomplished and sensitive duet by baritone Roger Bartlett and tenor Rushan Hewawasam. Bass Barry McMahon gave a very strong and confident rendition of the Scottish tune Wild Mountain Thyme before the indefatigable compère Drew Hopkins brilliantly articulated the difficult lyrics of the Irish tune The Spanish Lady, accompanied by Gawain Keen on guitar. For extra impact we also had castanets from Alex van Mens and Geoff Roberts and flaming flamenco dancing from Lauren Ash.
Patrons were tremendously appreciative of the musical journey they had been part of and there was great applause for all the singers, dancers and other artists as they filled up the stage to receive their well-deserved accolades.
There only remained for Geraint and Angela to lead the upstanding assembly in the anthem Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
Comments from the audience included:
The two pianists were exceptional. Geraint was entertaining, he could extract the best out of the choir.
Congratulations to the organiser for a job well done. I hope to see the choir again next year.
As someone not of Welsh origins I particularly enjoy the more familiar songs,including Irish & Scottish.
All good. A great night.
The 2015 program was excellent in content and performance.
Greatly enjoyed all aspects of tonight’s performance.
Look forward to future visits from Wales and future concerts.
I am happy with either a Welsh theme or combined as long as I can hear those wonderful voices. Our heritage is Cornish and Scottish and I love the blend of voices in the male choir. When the choir sings it is music to my soul! Thank you.
I would like to make special mention of Lorna Ogilvie & thank her for the beautiful, sympathetic and talented piano accompanying.
Personally I really enjoy the Welsh language items but the other items provide a light enjoyable relief especially for Scots and Irish. Lovely to have Cornwall represented.
Congratulations and thank you for a spectacularly successful evening. The choice of songs was excellent and the arrangement of the program was excellent too. The quality of the singers and dancers was brilliant.
Always find concerts rousing, well presented . Excellent support artists.
Always a wonderful, friendly musical experience.
A wonderful evening, lifted our spirit.
I loved the evening and will be in touch with my friends again to go to another concert.
Enjoyed the M.C. and his insight to the music and the performers.
I’ve never been to a concert of the choir before and was very impressed, thank you.
My Dad was the best!
Loved the choir and soloists.
Overall an excellent presentation.
Enjoyed the variety – the choir and the soloists were amazing. Loved the Irish dancers and the two female singers. I’m looking forward to the October concert. Many thanks to all.
The standard of the choral music and all the other items was outstanding – as always! Just wish I could go to one of these events every other week… impossible of course but that’s how enjoyable they are. Thank you choir and especially thank you to all those behind the scenes working so tirelessly.
And from one of our Welsh visitors:
WOW! What an honour to visit Melbourne and sing with the Victoria Welsh Male choir, all 3 of us were astounded at the at the professionalism of your performance, David Scott, Dave Watts and myself Mel Evans enjoyed our visit so much and the hospitality (Thanks so much, Bill). The long flight from Wales was worth every minute.