Ely Cathedral is a magnificent venue and Ely Choral Society gave a splendid concert that reverberated in the vaults of this wonderful building giving a sense of solemnity and value.
The work by Rossini has its unique quirky character – quite often when the piano introduced a movement, it was easy to expect a light-hearted operatic number, but the words of the mass put pay to that.
During the singing there were many moments of passion and religious fervour that underlined the meanings of the words perfectly.
The choir was splendid and there were many magnificent moments of heightened elation when all voices sang together in full harmony.
The Choral Society was accompanied by piano (played by Glen Dempsey) and harmonium (played by Nicholas Tall).
At first this seemed a most incongruous pair of instruments but when the music started and they played together, they did indeed combine most beautifully and sympathetically.
The pianist excelled. He played sensitively and with great dexterity.
When there were moments for the harmonium to echo and reflect the music of the piano or the choir, it showed just how musical and expressive it can be.
This was also noticeable in its solo in the second half of the programme.
The soloists, Alison Daniels (soprano), Chloe Alison (mezzo-soprano), Mark Darling (tenor) and Jonathan Midgley (bass) were admirable and gave colour to the work, their voices ringing out into the depths of the Cathedral.
Some particularly impressive moments were in movement 3: ‘Gracias’, sung by Chloe, Mark and Jonathan, movement 5: ‘Qui Tollis’ sing by Alison and Chloe and ‘O Salutaris’ sung by Alison who produced an exquisite high note in the final ‘Amen’. Chloe’s ‘Agnus Dei’ was particularly expressive.
The whole evening was undoubtedly the result of an astute and musical conductor, Andrew Parnell, and the way he constructed the program with a most sensitive and endearing version of the Lord’s Prayer sung by unaccompanied choir before the final movement of the Rossini Mass made this a most thoughtful and memorable occasion.
The next event by Ely Choral Society to enjoy is the Family Christmas Concert on Saturday 10th December at 730 p.m. in St Mary’s Church Ely.
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