Tarporley choir Decibellas have taken Italy by storm following a tour to the Amalfi coast where they sang to audiences in Atrani, Praiano and Pogerola.
before the trip, the women’s choir previewed their repertoire to a packed St Boniface Church in Bunbury, which was adorned in green, white and red bunting.
The choir was joined by Italian tenor Tommaso Castello who hails from Praiano, who not only sang in Bunbury, but also received a standing ovation in his home town.
Mandolinist Tom Bonikowski and guitarist Tim Leedham added to the Neopolitan flavour of the evening, accompanying Castello and the choir on Italian favourites such as Torna a Surriento, and O Sole Mio. Castello also gave a moving performance of the aria Catari.
Also joining the choir on tour was PazzeMENte, a group of husbands and partners of the choir members. The group was formed by musical director Katie Ryan, who suggested that as the men were coming to Italy, perhaps they would also like to perform.
They entertained the audience with Santa Lucia, singing with Castello, as well as pop pieces, ‘He Ain’t Heavy’ and ‘Imagine’.
The programme was designed by Katie to evoke impressions of the sea and a longing for home. In addition to the Italian favourites, she included some sacred pieces, songs from the British Isles and a Beatles set. The evening concluded with a prosecco reception and a retiring bucket collection in aid of the charity CRY Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Sponsors for the pre-tour Bunbury evening included Illingworth Seddon of Tattenhall, Gymophobics of Nantwich, RLH Printers, Forever Living Products, The Rotary Club of Tarporley and the 41 Club.
