Top of the Op's

For its first performance of two, St. Georges Church, Barbourne, Worcester provided a pleasing background to Opera Worcester’s latest concert.  Paul Ellis introduced the programme as compare and provided the links between numbers clearly setting the scene behind each number. It was soon established to be a concert of high quality, from its opening number ‘The Toreador’s Song’ from Carmen, led by Samuel Taunton with power and Paul’s promised swagger!

Janet Hay and Shara Parry followed with ‘The Barcarolle’ from Tales of Hoffman, light and gentle with voices blending nicely. Meriel Ford sang ‘Voi Che Sapete’ from The Marriage of Figaro with great control and the chorus followed with the first of several strong performances, ‘Coro di Zingari’ from Il Trovatore, ‘Lacrimosa’ (Requiem) and ‘Va Pensiero’ (Nabucco) which closed the first half, providing  a powerful and tuneful impact.

Michael  Ferris and Catherine Barrett sang ‘O Soave Fanciulla’ from La Boheme, which was lovely and told their story capturing their moment in a love duet. Shara returned with Edward Kimberley, singing well together as he urges her to go away with him, with ‘La ci darem la Mano’ from Don Giovanni. Hannah Morse took us to ancient Peking with ‘Signore, Ascolta’ from Turandot hitting some lovely notes and Shara returned with ‘Habanera’ from Carmen with the chorus, showing great expression which was absorbing. Catherine was the final soloist in the first half providing excellent control with ‘Der Holle Rache’ from The Magic Flute. Rightly so, there was an audible ‘Wow’ from the audience!

The second half opened with the chorus singing ‘O Fortuna’ from Carmina Burana with a smooth build up to full power and Paul Ellis provided good clarity with ‘You shall go no More’ from The Marriage of Figaro. It was good to see Rebecca and Ellen Fearnley singing together, blending splendidly with ‘The Flower Duet’ from Lakme by Delibes. Meriel returned with ‘When I am Laid in Earth’ from Dido & Aeneas which was gentle and tuneful. The chorus followed, this time softer but no less impressive with ‘Evening Prayer’ from Hansel & Gretel.  As the callous playboy, Samuel sang ‘La Donna Mobile’ from Rigoletto, with amusing animation.

Samuel stayed to be joined by Janet, Shara and Tim Cranmore with ’Bella Figlia dell’Amore’ also from Rigoletto and Hannah sang ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ from Gianni Schicchi by Puccini, which was beautiful. Michael and Catherine returned in fine voice with ‘Che Gelida Manina from La Boheme and Caroline Causier sang ‘Song to the Moon’ (Rusalka by Dvorak) with such poise and feeling it was moving.

The chorus joined Michael and Catherine to complete the concert with ‘Brindisi’ from La Traviata by Verdi. This and other numbers were sung impressively in Italian, as well as others along the way in French , German, and Latin and actually in total, less than a third in English, such was the diverse nature of the concert, well led by MD Garry Bailey and the sensitive and supportive accompaniment of Joy Reeve. The only disappointment was the absence of Paul Thompson, who will appear in the second concert, Never-the-less, it was most certainly the top of the op’s!

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