Dedicated to French choral music of the Second Empire, Harpenden Choral Society performed works by Cherubini and Gounod in High Street Methodist Church in Harpenden recently.
Accompanied by the Kings Sinfonietta and supported by three very talented soloists, Catrine Kirkman, soprano, Nicholas Ransley, tenor, and Jan Capinski, baritone, the concert was an undoubted success.
Luigi Cherubini’s Requiem has no soloists so the choir had to be on their toes throughout. They did this brilliantly and the highlight for me was Dies Irae.
Gounod’s St Cecila Mass followed and the three soloists performed eloquently. The choir showed clarity of diction and their dynamic range was admirable. My favourite was Gloria, especially the dramatically ascending soprano line.
High praise indeed to this enthusiastic choir who injected energy into this performance in a most musical way.
Thanks to conductor John Andrews, whose flair is to be applauded, this was a well presented performance for which the choir should be justly proud.
NEIL BUICK Herts Advertiser June 2015
