Music for a Summer's Evening

Set in one of the most beautiful churches in Sunderland, St Andrews church in Roker built in 1907 was the venue for St Andrew’s Operatic Society to showcase their 2018 concert “Music for a Summer’s Evening”, Ken Matthews, Musical Director and conductor designed a programme of interesting and inspiring music and songs to entertain the audience supported by organist Colin Wood and pianist Pam Bell. This was the first time that I have attended one of the society’s concerts and whilst their speciality is Gilbert and Sullivan Operates I was not surprised at the eminence performance and the quality singing and enthusiasm from the 31 individual performers, both my wife and I and the packed audience were totally moved by the whole performance.

The programme commenced with the cast singing from the musical Chicago “Razzle Dazzle” and what an opening full of energy and character a perfect opening to this spectacular evening of entertainment, there followed a full chorus number first performed in 1965 with music by Bert Bacharach

“What the World Needs Now Is Love” originally performed by Jacki De Shannon this was beautifully delivered and the harmonise were fantastic. A collection of religious music followed starting with “The lord Bless You and Keep You” the beautiful classical sacred choral composition by John Rutter, next was Adendlied written in 1855 by Josef Rheinberger, a moving and spectacular performance with beautiful vocals. A piece by Mozart followed Ave Verum Corpus which was composed 1791 as a chant set to music this was accompanied by Colin Wood on the organ and was extremely spiritual and beautifully sang as was the number “If You Love Me” written by Thomas Tallis. To conclude this section was “I’m Gonna Sing” a very uplifting and happy song and a perfect conclusion to the religious section. Susan Ancliff delivered a beautiful rendition of Andrew Llloyd Webber “Pie Jesu” from his 1985 Requiem again beautiful delivery with light and shade and in the perfect setting for this beautiful number. A song from one of my favourite musicals written by Claude Michel Schonoberg for the musical Les Miserables usually a solo number but St Andrew’s chorus delivered a powerful and sincere rendition of “I Dreamed A Dream” Colin Wood shook the rafters with a piece of music from the composer Marcel Dupre beautifully played and to conclude the first Act was a piece composed by George Handel in 1727, “ Zadok the Priest” written for the coronation of King George II this piece musical piece has been traditionally sung to every British sovereign prior to the anointing at  their coronation again beautifully sang and a perfect ending to act one.

Act two opened with the song that made Judy Garland world known from the 1939 musical Wizard of Oz “Over the Rainbow” again outstanding harmonies and delivery, a change of tempo followed with two folk songs, firstly a Cornish love song called “I Love My Love” written by Gustav Hoist which tells the dramatic love story of a lover sent to sea, this was followed by “Linden Lea” written by William Barnes the music was superb its tune was soaring and brooding and evoked  some unusual feeling from the chorus to the audience, both songs were beautifully sang and demonstrated the versatility and talent of the group. The tone changed again for the next number as the group sang the Billy Joel number “Lullabye” written to reflect his sentiments towards his daughter this was well sang and the group captured the sentiments of the words, next to take to the stage was Kathy Price for her solo number, this lady has immense talent and a beautiful voice and I always review the programme to see if Kathy is appearing due to her vocal ability and this year she delivered a berceuse Creole lullaby delivering the song in Spanish which was absolutely beautiful well done Kathy your number was outstanding and a pleasure to listen to. The cast brought out the humour in there next number written by Frank Bridge “The Goslings” very funny and entertaining, two for the price of one was the next number as the cast sang “Michael Finnegan” and This Old Man” both songs tell two different stories but musically they sync up to create a great sound and delivered with a polished performance and a fantastic arrangement. Next it was the audience turn to join in with a John Rutter number “When the Saint Go Marching In” and it was a joy to be part of the evening’s entertainment to conclude the concert it was a jazz number performed originally by Duke Ellington “It Don’t Mean A Thing” a perfect ending to a perfect evenings. Congratulations to the whole cast your commitment and enthusiasm certainly shone through; every number was professionally delivered and well received

Well done to everyone involved for a first class evening entertainment.

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