AFTER a two-year tenure of distinction conductor Michael Williams bade farewell to the Ellesmere Port Music Society Chorus after a successful concert in the Civic Hall, writes Gordon Linnell.
The concert featured four European baroque items; it proved a superbly chosen programme giving ample opportunities of expression to choir, five fine soloists and the virtually immaculate 18th Century Sinfonia of period instruments, led by David Lewis.
Purcell’s Come Ye Sons Of Art alternated powerful choral sections with delightfully delicate writing for two counter tenors (David Gould and Tom Williams), adding sturdier sections for bass Neil Baker who was excellent all evening, while Cecilia Osmond made the utmost of her exquisite soprano role.
The work climaxed with See Nature Rejoicing, with Osmond and Baker to the fore, suitably full of the joys of spring.
Vivaldi’s only recently discovered Dixit Dominus, energetic, stylish, brimming with the joys of life (but with one darker episode), featured wondrous opportunities for the soloists and once again Osmond’s clarity was a pleasure to the ear.
The evening closed with Charpentier’s uplifting Te Deum, with its splendid opening trumpet theme, full of admirable writing for chorus and soloists and performed here with joyful commitment and conviction.
