Last Saturday, April 13, The Winchelsea Singers, directed by Duncan Reid, presented their Spring Concert in the historic Church of St Thomas. The first half comprised of John Rutter’s beautiful and uplifting Requiem, which sets parts of the Latin mass alongside English translations of the psalms.
The soprano soloist was Grace Constable, a regular guest with The Singers; her clear, cordial tone proving ideal for this music. Ivora Rees, enthusiastically and skilfully accompanying at the piano, was joined by the cellist Jonathan Bruce who revelled in passages particularly written for his instrument and also picked out other melodic lines to add interest to the proceedings.
The choir was persuasive throughout: clear and sensitive in the quieter sections but able to surge to an impressive climax when necessary.
The second half brought us excerpts from Handel’s Messiah, and began, remarkably, with an unaccompanied rendition of that work’s opening recitative, Comfort Ye, by the tenor, Gary Marriott. After this unusual but effective opening, we were treated to a number of glorious choruses and solo arias from Gary and Grace, whose I know that my Redeemer liveth proved a most beautiful and moving tribute to Eastertide.
The evening ended, of course, with a scintillating Hallelujah chorus, eager applause from the audience and a warm vote of thanks and appreciation from Winchelsea Mayor, John Rodley, to all involved in a splendid evening.
Source: Winchelsea Singers
Image Credits: Heidi Foster .