Festive Fayre

I could not have wished for a more entertaining afternoon, (for my last show attendance before I retire as a Noda Rep at the end of the year) than this concert. It was full of well known, and not so well known, songs, carols, readings and recitations.

From the opening “Gloria” by Vivaldi, followed by the Flanders and Swann “The Warthog”, the audience were invited to sing Christmas carols, and the programme also included items by composers Mozart, Haydn, Joubert and Mendelssohn.  The music was performed mainly by the chorus but individual members stepped forward to perform solos, duets, trios. There was not a weak link anywhere and the songs and music seemed to be perfectly chosen and linked.  

Petra Milarova held the audience spellbound with her piano rendition of a piece by Chopin and we heard the performance of “Welcome Child of Mary” composed by T. Verdi (MD Terry Green).

When the interval came delicious cakes and tea were served by the cast and members of the Company before we settled back to enjoy the second part of the concert. Julian Souter entertained the audience between each item with snippets of information regarding the background and composer details of each item. Not to be outdone Terry Green chipped in with his “shaggy dog stories” whenever the opportunity arose!

Guest soloists Barabara Smith and Lydia Goodall gave the chorus a chance to have a short rest. Lydia was recipient of the Company’s bursary 4 years ago and she is certainly making fine use of her study years at the Birmingham Conservatoire. Tettenhall OC must be fairly unique in having their own bursary scheme and they are to be congratulated on such a bold venture.

Thank you Tettenhall Operatic Company for making my last show so enjoyable and I look forward to attending the concert performance of “The Pirates of Penzance” in February.

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