Winter Concert

In their 50th celebration year, Tayside Opera presented their annual “Winter Concert” – a selection of musical pieces from opera and musical songs from well-known composers. The evening got off to a great start with the company in full voice singing the rousing “Anvil Chorus” from Verdi’s Il Trovatore. Then followed a selection of many famous musical pieces – Eleanor Smith received rapturous applause for her “Alleluia” from Mozart’s Exsultate, Jubilate, and Russel Malcolm’s lovely voice was heard to great effect in Massenet’s "Pensee D’Automme". Then came a firm favourite of mine – the “Ave Maria Intermezzo” from Cavalleria Rusticana, courtesy of Moira Docherty, putting it over in a delicate rendition. Another firm favourite of mine arrived when Michael Turner’s rich bass voice delivered a wonderful “Ol’ Man River”, which evoked many happy memories for me. The Kissing Waltz song "Il Bacio" was another great highlight from Frances Taylor, and Susan Jenkin and Natalie Stewart gave us a tender duet singing “The Little Road To Bethlehem”, because a Christmas theme did also feature in the musical selection too. And one could not forget the “comedy” song of the evening – Moira Docherty and Frances Taylor’s comic rendition of “Sisters” from White Christmas!  There were big set pieces for the chorale and conductor Richard Johnston carefully guided the ensemble through the tongue-twisting “Rataplan” from Verdi’s “Force Of Destiny”, which was an absolute delight to the ear, and the extremely versatile accompanist Robert Duncan managed to play his own party piece for the evening. It was a most enjoyable evening all round and thank you, Tayside Opera, for keeping Grand Opera alive and kicking.

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