Burnley Municipal Choir get standing ovation
A standing ovation for a classical concert in Burnley is an exceedingly rare event, but a capacity audience at St Peter’s Church on Sunday rose to their feet in enthusiastic appreciation of Burnley Municipal Choir’s performance of Messiah.
Tickets were fully sold out well in advance of this popular annual event leading up to Christmas. In fact many members of the audience regard it as signalling the true opening of the festive season.
As always the Choir engaged soloists of the highest quality. Tenor Paul Nilon’s interpretation of the Passion section was deeply moving and his final aria “Thou shalt break them” was dazzling.
Andrew Greenan, a true bass, made the church rock with his considerable voice and presence. Hannah Mason, making her debut with the choir, made a strong impression and local girl Grace O’Malley (soprano), delighted the audience with her renditions of “Rejoice greatly”, “Come unto Him” and “I know that my Redeemer liveth”.
The East Lancashire Sinfonia’s excellent and stylistic playing was both sympathetic and dramatic when required, with a notable contribution from the brilliant Seb Wilson on trumpet. The superb continuo of Duncan Robertson and Claire Babington, who played every note throughout the evening, underpinned the entire performance.
Musical Director Nigel Wilkinson’s intuitive skills and attention to detail brought together the Choir, soloists and orchestra in a performance that was marked by its precision, dynamics and focus on text and which was acknowledged by many as probably the Choir’s best Messiah to date.
First and foremost, however, it was the 100 voices of the Choir who made the greatest impression with an impressive and balanced sound from all voices, and particularly strong diction and intonation from the soprano section. The Hallelujah Chorus and the mighty final choruses brought this choral masterpiece to a spectacular conclusion and the audience’s standing ovation was fully deserved.
The Choir has no time to sit on their laurels as rehearsals continue for their “Voices and Brass” concert of carols, light Christmas music and readings, joined by Hebden Bridge Junior Band providing some festive brass.
The concert is at St Catherine’s Church, Todmorden Road on December 18 at 7pm. Admission is free, but donations for Pendleside Hospice are welcome.