St David’s Day Celtic Celebration

26th February 2016 at the Melbourne Recital Centre: “better all the time” “wonderful mix – one of the best concerts I’ve seen” “Co-cheòl were an added treat/brilliant/magnificent/stunning” “Rhys Meirion was exceptional” “The choir was magnificent. The conductors – brilliant. The accompanist – superb. Rhys Meirion, VP Pipe Band and Co-cheòl, words fail me. More More More please.”

The capacity crowd at Melbourne Recital Centre eagerly answered with enthusiastic applause the opening question What Would I Do Without My Music.

Faleiry then handed over the podium to guest conductor Rob Nicholls, brought out by the Welsh Church for the fifth time. The opening bracket included three Welsh tunes, a favourite hymn in English and a sensitive rendition of I’se Weary Of Waitin’  led by two fine basses Barry McMahon and Graeme Sanderson.

The star of the night, famous Welsh tenor Rhys Meirion, accompanied by the versatile Rob, took the stage to sing a fine Italian aria followed by an outstanding Danny Boy, with a final perfectly pitched high note that just took everybody’s breath away. The scene was now set for a stupendous musical evening. 

As patrons started breathing more freely, from the back of the hall came the unmistakeable skirling of three pipers from the Victoria Police Pipe Band. Joined on stage by two drummers, their set of famous airs and reels provided a veritable Scottish aural and visual feast.

Rob remounted the podium and Rhys came back to lead us in the heartfelt O Gymru. The choir then moved through the Fantasia On Famous Welsh Airs, culminating with first the Welsh version of Men of Harlech followed by everybody in the house joining in with the English words on the worksheet.

After interval Faleiry took to the podium and explained that the next four songs were all about love in different forms. The Rose was followed by You’ll Never Walk Alone with an excellent solo by Roger Bartlett. In contrast the choir then sang a capella the lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi and then the sensitive Anfonaf Angel.

The arrival of a harp on to the stage presaged the arrival of the award-winning Gaelic female quartet Co-cheòl (below). In a blaze of colour and snappy, well-co-ordinated body choreography, flute and accordion, they surprised and charmed the auditorium with wonderful close harmonies leading to the choir joining them on the lyrical In This Heart. The applause for this very talented group was heartfelt and sustained.

The final bracket comprised famous opera choruses. Soldiers’ Chorus was followed by John Hales boldly leading the choir in the French words of March of the Toreadors. The multi-lingual choir then switched to Italian for a spirited Anvil Chorus with blacksmith Colin Evans. After a finely executed Speed Your Journey choristers were pleased to come home in the Pilgrims’ Chorus.

 Rob Nicholls and Rhys Meirion came back on stage along with the pipes and drums, and Co-cheòl to lead the huge audience in Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau. Patrons remained standing to give choir, guests and the music team the ovation they all so richly deserved.

Audience comments included:

Terrific – getting better all the time.

The program tonight was a wonderful mix. One of the best concerts I’ve seen.

Overall a great concert and the inclusion of Co-cheòl Gaelic singing an added treat – beautiful harmony.

Cyngherdd bendigedig (a blessed concert)

I have attended many concerts previously and I have enjoyed every one of them. The professionality displayed by all is a credit to them! This was my 3rd St. David’s Day concert and they just keep getting better – congratulations to all concerned.

I enjoyed the venue. The choir was magnificent. The conductors – brilliant. The accompanist – superb. Rhys Meirion, VP Pipe Band and Co-cheòl, words fail me. More More More please.

We really enjoyed the whole concert. The men’s choir sounds lovely in this venue. Also having the pipes and drums & Co-cheòl group – I like the Celtic aspect of it best! A wonderful evening.

We enjoyed the whole concert immensely.

I think it was your best concert ever. Great professional acts. Venue has great acoustics which is so important.

Always enjoyable – particularly so this time.

I can’t wait for Co-cheòl’s CD. Their performance was stunning.

Thank you – Wonderful evening – Grateful Celt.

Good show – very good venue. Great ladies’ quartet .

Co-cheòl were brilliant! Rhys Meirion was exceptional.

The venue is very striking. As well as Rhys, the other soloists were good.

An enjoyable concert – especially as we are not Welsh.

Rob Nicholls brought a crisp harmonising tone to the choir and kept them in strict time. Excellent performance. Co-cheòl were magnificent. Congratulations!

Thank you for the pronunciation of the Welsh National Anthem in the program and sheet. I sang with gusto now I can pronounce the language better.

Thanks for a great concert last night. I have been following you since the Celts Kilts & Jazz concerts at RMIT and last night was one of the best.

In answer to the question Was Rhys’ inclusion the main reason you attended?: No, but I was glad to hear him sing./ No, but we are glad he sang./ Not main reason – but a wonderful adjunct! / No, but he would be now./  Rhys’ performance lifted our enjoyment and exceeded expectations.