St David’s Day Concert

It was an agreeable coincidence that, this year, our concert was held exactly on St David’s Day. The choir started with the customary rousing rendition of Gwŷr Harlech in Welsh before the audience joined in with the English verses, handily printed out on an insert in the program. So good were they that Faleiry got them to sing it again, to much applause.

Compère Drew Hopkins congratulated patrons on their singing prowess and announced the first bracket – Arwelfa, Tydi a Roddaist and Blaenwern which were all much appreciated.

Our guest tenor Roy Best came on and gave an informative introduction to Serenade from the 1954 show The Student Prince before delivering the song to huge applause. Switching into Italian, he next delighted patrons with the well-known aria E Lucevan Le Stelle from Tosca.

Following the operatic theme, the choir then gave a virtuoso performance of Speed Your Journey from Nabucco. Bass-baritone Roger Bartlett then led the choir in the heart-aching Hiraeth and versatile tenor Drew followed with the choir on the challenging showcase hymn Diolch I’r Iôr. Both soloists and choir were rewarded by enthusiastic acclaim.

Allowing Drew to catch his breath, President Tony Davies stepped up to the mike to tell patrons what was unique about Victoria Welsh Choir. Not only does it have its own truck but it has three rehearsal venues – Blackburn, Bendigo and Ballarat with choristers spread across the state from Echuca in the north to Mount Martha in the south.

Furthermore, the choir was remarkable in being blessed with a hugely stable and committed music team with Bendigo’s accompanist Liz Paton’s 16 years of service, Lorna Ogilvie’s 20 and, next month, Faleiry’s 25 years. Given that the next number was Anfonaf Angel, Tony surprised Faleiry and most of the choir, by presenting her with a gold and silver filigree guardian angel on a silver chain. Somewhat stunned, Faleiry managed to thank the choir for its gift but there was another surprise in the offing. Tony asked Faleiry to sit down at the side of the stage whilst Rushan Hewawasam stepped on to the podium to conduct the choir as we dedicated Anfonaf Angel – with Bendigonian Nigel McGuckian’s flute introduction – to our very own musical angel. 

After general acclaim from the entire hall, Drew came back to introduce Yfory (again with flute) and the popular Cwm Rhondda, with Roy singing the first verse and the audience lustily joining in on the chorus (twice) just before the interval.

After the break, Rushan sensitively led the choir in the Welsh expatriates’ welcome song Unwaith Eto’n Nghymru Annwyl. Next was the love song Ar Lan Y Môr and then Roy was welcomed back to join the choir on the classic All Through the Night.

First half soloists Roger and Drew then combined beautifully on Ti A Dy Ddoniau, another Welsh love story where the man (two men this time) is discarded.

Roy once again took the stage and, after some introductions, thoroughly entertained the assembly with Dein ist Mein Ganzes Herz (You Are My Heart’s Delight) and the stupendous and energetic Granada by Lara. Such power and passion by both Roy, and Lorna on piano, elicited so much acclaim that they had to reprise the final chorus.

After such excitement, Drew introduced two gentler songs by Ivor Novello – My Dearest Dear followed by We’ll Gather Lilacs with Roy and audience participation.

Another very patriotic song O Gymru (complete with copious Welsh sunshine) was succeeded by Roy and the choir soaring with How Great Thou Art, made famous by Harry Secombe who had sung here in Melbourne with us in 1991. As this was Roy’s last number in the concert, he was given a huge thank-you from audience and choir alike, leaving no doubt that he had made many new fans.

The encore was the iconic Calon Lân, enhanced by the appearance of two choristers complete with daffodil headdresses which seemed appropriate. At least they weren’t ‘leeking’ all over the stage!

There only remained the Welsh National Anthem Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau with the marvellous sight of 650 patrons upstanding while the Oggies reverberated through the theatre.