David Hobson Concert
A concert involving Ballarat’s favourite son, David Hobson, attracted a sell-out audience to the Wendouree Performing Arts Centre.
The choir kicked off proceedings with Gwŷr Harlech in Welsh with the audience joining in with the English verses.
Compère Drew Hopkins then acknowledged the area’s traditional owners and introduced the first Welsh bracket comprising of Calon Lân, Gwahoddiad, Y Tangnefeddwyr and Rhys which were all enthusiastically received.
The star of the show, David Hobson, then came on stage to lead the choir, a cappella, in the Welsh lullaby Si Hei Lwli ‘Mabi, to warm applause. David spoke about the personal connection with his first song, Handel’s Silent Worship which showcased his wonderful tenor voice. He then moved on to Benjamin Britten’s cheeky Foggy, Foggy Dew before a mellifluous Younger Than Springtime from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific. The choir’s next bracket was the popular Myfanwy and the famous Speed Your Journey from Verdi’s opera Nabucco. This was followed by tenor Rushan Hewawasam on his first public rendition of the National Eisteddfod’s welcoming song Unwaith Eto’n ‘Nghymru Annwyl (Once Again in Dear Wales) which was loudly acclaimed. In preparation for their part in the final chorus, Faleiry put the eager audience into rehearsal mode before the choir launched into John Rutter’s spirited arrangement of When the Saints Go Marching In. The assembled company put their practice to good use and the theatre positively resounded through the choruses to the final triumphant Yeah! After interval David sensitively led the choir on the traditional All Through the Night. Compère Drew then explained the stories behind the two Paul Jarman songs – Land of My Song with fine solos from john Adams and Geoff Roberts, and Pemulwuy, both of which were much enjoyed by the full house.
David returned and spoke about his Ballarat upbringing and his Welsh heritage which segued into a powerfully poignant recitation of Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. He then turned to his musical theatre experience to sing the upbeat Hushabye Mountain from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang followed by a wonderful performance of I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face from My Fair Lady.
With a jaunty hat in place, David theatrically turned into Nicely-Nicely Johnson to energetically exhort choristers to Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat from Guys & Dolls to great applause.
Being the tremendously versatile entertainer that he is, David then strapped on his guitar to lead the choir in a merry dance with the traditional Irish song Spanish Lady, complete with Geoff Roberts on castanets and animated clapping from choristers. Olé indeed!
The final production number was the ever-popular medley from Les Misérables with Rushan again splendidly featuring on I Dreamed a Dream and Bring Him Home.
David came back on stage to join the choir on an abbreviated version of Waltzing Matilda with part of the choir, including David, singing the Welsh National Anthem at the same time as patrons continued with the Australian words. David and the choir took their bows to prolonged applause from the very appreciative assembly who, it transpired, wanted a little more.
As the choir started to make their way off the stage, cries of Encore swelled up and Faleiry swiftly communicated the title to choristers and Lorna before conducting them on the iconic Cwm Rhondda which finally and magnificently signalled the end of a fantastic afternoon’s concert.