The July 19th Concert

This was Tees Valley G&S Society’s summer concert, imaginatively called ‘the July 19th Concert’. Being a G&S society you could reasonably expect good singing, and indeed that is exactly what the audience was treated to, much of it in four part harmony, which sounded crisp and clear in the wonderful acoustics of the church.

Although G&S in origin, this was not a collection of songs from Arthur Sullivan but based around the songs and musicals from just before, and just after, the Great War.  Throughout the concert David Beall, the MD, provided background on the productions and a little history included in an amusing manner.

The concert started with a selection from one of the (in my opinion) best of the old operettas, The Merry Widow (1905) and the haunting “Velia” with soloist Anna-Maria Jackson.  Next was a selection from Arcadians (1909) with two of my highlights of the evening, Samantha Holden singing ‘The Pipes of Pan’ in fine soprano voice, whilst Mike Harbisher and Catherine Williamson performed the duet ‘Charming Weather’.  Humour was provided by 6’4” Gordon Smyrell as a jockey performing ‘My Motter’.

After an interval which included a buffet in the ticket price, the main production selection was from Merrie England (1902), although also included were selections from ‘Irene’ (1919) and a Gershwin number.  Humour this half was provided by Alistair Bolton singing the tongue twister “The Girl in the Little Green Hat’.

Befitting the significance of the centenary year of the start of the Great War there were solos and audience participation of several popular songs of the era like “Roses of Picardy”, “Good-Byee”, “Keep the Home Fires Burning” etc. It was pleasing to see that many younger people in the audience knew majority of the words.

Finally David Beall led the finale as soloist alongside the chorus in the patriotic ‘Yeoman of England’ from Merrie England.

Special mention to accompanist Nicola Tayler who tried her best to keep incognito but was cajoled to take a bow which her sterling work of the evening deserved.  It was a pleasure to hear such high quality singing throughout both in soloists and chorus. Well Done Tees Valley.

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