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For their first concert of 2005, and the first concert of the Stroud Festival, the Cappella Singers, under Philip Colls, were joined by Viva Voce, and their Director Amanda Cowan, from Sheffield.
The two choirs, in spite of the short joint rehearsal time, were in complete harmony, as evidenced by the sparkling initial rendering of two Mendelssohn choral works. The contrast of the quiet motet "Locus iste" by Bruckner showed the versatility of the combined choirs.
The control of the high soprano top notes in the Stanford motet "Justorum animae," sung by Viva Voce, was exceptional.
Stanford's Magnificat in B flat, a challenging work for a double choir, ended the first half. The singers enjoyed an appreciative round of applause from a smallish, but sophisticated, audience.
The Gloucester Psalms by Mark Blatchly, only being given its second performance, was the highlight of the second half. This is a difficult work, the Singers not being helped by the fact that the score is still in manuscript. However, after much pain in rehearsals, on the night they gave a magnificent performance, particularly bringing out the emotional beauty of the second and third movements.
"I'm beginning to see the light", sung by Viva Voce and "Blue Moon", then "Secret Love", sung by the combined choirs, provided a relaxing end to the concert.
ARB
The Cappella Singers: Registered Charity no 262530