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Stour Singers:

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in St Edmund’s, Shipston,
on 3 December 2011

This performance of Handel’ Messiah was a sell-out success for Stour Singers.  Richard Emms, who has continuously directed his choir now for 36 years, sensitively guided the singers and the accompanying Cherwell Orchestra (leader, Judy Springate) to bring out all the drama and also the humour in Handel’s music.  The highlight of the choral singing was undoubtedly the joyous ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ in which Richard Emms included the four soloists and the entire audience stood, many singing along with the choir from the pews.

The occasion was a reunion for the soloists who had all taken part in ‘Messiah’ in Truro Cathedral in 2009. Apart from baritone, Rodney Clarke, currently at Paris Opera, the other soloists came here from Cornwall.  The clear soaring soprano of Cheryl Rosevear excelled in ‘Rejoice greatly’ & ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’, Shelley Coulter-Smith, mezzo, brought a rich, sympathetic warmth to the emotional range of her solos and Nicholas Hawker, likewise, skilfully adapted his dignified light tenor to suit his varied text.  One visitor said the audience was  mesmerised by the soloists. Certainly the whole assembly gave rapt attention throughout. This was especially evident in Rodney Clarkes’ ‘Behold, I tell you a mystery’ and in his faultless duet, ‘The Trumpet shall sound’ with Chris Cox on trumpet.

All agreed it was a most memorable evening and a splendid preparation for Christmas.

This concert was supported by the Birmingham & Black Country Community Foundation on behalf of the Mid-Counties Co-Operative Community Fund.  

The next concert is on 5 May 2012 at 7.30pm in St Edmund’s, Shipston, a Handel-Haydn programme featuring Haydn’s Creation Mass. Rehearsals start at 7pm on Thursday 12 January 2012. New members are welcome (particularly tenors!) No auditions. Please contact Vic Twyman, tel: 01451 870361 for further details.        

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Last modified: January 10, 2012