Silvie Paladino
“a joyful, melodious, emotional afternoon’s entertainment” “the ethereal sound of the harmonies” “such a thrill to hear the harmony of a male voice choir. The choir is excellent. It brings back memories of Wales” “beautiful balance of strong male voices with Silvie’s strong voice” “Professional with a hint of Welsh community . Joy-filled.” “left feeling we were on a high.” “The choir and Silvie Paladino were magic.”
Although the choir had worked with Silvie on previous occasions, this was the first time at the prestigious Melbourne Recital Centre and what a stupendous concert it turned out to be.
Once the audience had settled, the lights came up to dramatically reveal the immaculately dressed choristers as they launched into the opening number What Would I Do Without My Music.
Having established our credentials, compère Drew Hopkins introduced the music team and the next few songs. Faleiry, a native of Aberystwyth, was fulsome in her introduction to this classic from the Welsh choral repertoire and got the first tenors and basses to illustrate the power and majesty of the tune, inspired by the composer’s view of the Cardigan Bay waves.
The popular Calon Lân came next followed by Yfory (Tomorrow) with a sensitive flute introduction by Bendigo chorister Nigel McGuckian.
The star of the show, Silvie Paladino then lit up the stage with her opening number You Raise Me Up which elicited thunderous applause. With her multi-talented pianist David Cameron, she engaged the capacity audience with her wonderful personal rapport and magnificent voice in Memories and a Rodgers and Hart medley. She stayed on stage to lead the choir in the well-known You’ll Never Walk Alone from Carousel.
Then the choir delivered the Rutter arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In culminating with Faleiry inviting patrons to sing the final chorus, which they did very willingly and competently, before a well-earned break.
Men of Harlech in Welsh opened the second half followed by the audience joining in with the English words.
The next bracket was geographically inspired with Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of Down by the Salley Gardens (Irish) and Wild Mountain Thyme (a Scottish tune powerfully sung by Barry McMahon to great acclaim). Silvie’s voice breathed new life into the Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi, followed by another quirky Britten arrangement of the Suffolk folksong Oliver Cromwell. An invitation to ‘Sing it yourself’ was wisely ignored as Silvie came back to a hall full of star-struck admirers.
After the lovely What the World Needs Now, Silvie channelled her Italian heritage with a virtuoso rendition of Non Ti Scordar Di Me which thrilled everybody in the auditorium. Inviting all to join in on What a Wonderful World was magical with patrons happily singing from the front and the choir balancing the sound from the back – goose bumps all round. Silvie finished off her bracket with an homage to not only Pavarotti but also a predecessor in the eponymous Caruso, an absolute musical tour de force.
If the audience thought that was it from Silvie, they were happy to be deluded as she joined the choir in the Les Mis medley with her beautifully reprising the recitative and the number I Dreamed a Dream. Rushan Hewawasam’s mellifluous tenor voice tugged at the heartstrings with Bring Him Home and the final chorus was enhanced by the waving of a revolutionary red flag.
After tumultuous applause, Silvie sang the opening words to the modern arrangement of Waltzing Matilda, along with duettists Drew and Graeme Sanderson and the choir, segueing into the Welsh national anthem at the end, with flute accompaniment by Nigel.
What a wonderful (musical) world indeed.
Feedback from members of the audience included:
I was there with my partner for this marvellous concert featuring Silvie Paladino. What a joyful, melodious, emotional afternoon’s entertainment by this renowned Choir and beautiful Silvie. Maureen
A delightful afternoon. The MRC was a delightful intimate venue.
Great show, amazing voices
The choir is wonderful. I most enjoyed the ethereal sound of the harmonies, similar to the first item of the performance on 30.10.2016. Silvie Paladino a great choice and encouraged me to attend. Thankyou to all choir members and support team. They give a wonderful experience. June
I absolutely loved the “Les Mis” segment.
I enjoyed the choir and Silvie Paladino.
Another lovely afternoon of music.
Looking forward to more great singing in 2017.
It is such a thrill to hear the harmony of a male voice choir. The choir is excellent. It brings back memories of Wales, and my links to the country are renewed. Elaine
A beautiful balance of strong male voices with Silvie’s strong voice. Good fun when we the audience were invited to sing! Loved Rushan’s solo – a beautiful voice! Thanks for a great afternoon.
I really enjoyed the audience participation. Veronica
Really love Melbourne Recital Centre.
Wonderful concert last Sunday, great that the concert is now in the afternoon. Good for country travellers.
Professional with a hint of Welsh community . Joy-filled. Brian
Loved it and I can now tell people I have sung at the MRC and have sung with the Vic Welsh Choir.
I really liked the way your musical director encouraged audience participation. Sandra
I accompanied a 90 year old lady living in residential care. I have not previously witnessed a concert – I just loved it. Silvie Paladino was absolutely superb, very talented and very personable. Would attend such concerts if possible in future. All very professional and observed all choir members seemed to be enjoying the whole event. Joy
What a lovely afternoon, great venue – lovely seating. Great day! Marg
One of our group is 90 years and thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon. Very uplifting, left feeling we were on a high.
Enjoyed the interactive aspect.
The choir and Silvie Paladino were magic. Great afternoon. Valerie
A wonderful show. We travelled down from Mulwala today to be in the dress circle. Thank you very much for a lovely concert Len and Sandra
Beautiful sound. Comfy seats, wonderful experience.