Formby Choral Society gave "the best performance of Messiah I've ever heard". That was the comment of several people last night (Saturday 19th November), when the choir performed Handel's masterpiece in front of a sell-out audience in Our Lady's Church.
The soloists (Jocelyn Somerville, Sarah Cox, Christopher Steel and Thomas Eaglen) were outstanding, and described by many choir members as the best team of soloists put together. The orchestra was in excellent form, with a top-notch trumpet part in The trumpet shall sound. The continuo, of Ruth Bingham (cello) and Richard Lea (harpsichord) were an excellent team. The Choral Society shone brilliantly - super-confident, highly polished and clearly thoroughly enjoying themselves.
It was a night to remember - for performers: rarely will you hear such a unforgivingly exciting performance; and for the audience: who were transfixed, not just by Handel's music, but by the energy, life, enthusiasm, and emotion which carried them through two and three-quarter hours, in but the blink of an eye.
Congratulations to all. (MC, Liverpool)
"Formby should be proud"
As usual my spies provided me with duff information. The programme was a mish-mash, they hated the English part songs, etc, etc. Such half-empty people, rather than half-full! This was a fabulous evening - and actually the spies had to admit as much afterwards.
The first half consisted of a number of items from the choir and the various soloists. To start with the Easter Hymn from Cavellaria Rusticana was magical, and the return of Chelsea O'Connell singing with FCS provided a highlight - indeed a very high note too - right at the start. She has come on a long way since she last sang with FCS some years ago. Scott and James provided proof that young musical talent is still around on the Formby scene. The choir's two Elgar pieces worked very well, as indeed the other two were tastefully and effectively sung - even if, according to sources, pretty much disliked by much of the choir!
The two professional soloists - Graham Neal and Julian Empett - were outstanding and their choice of solo items proved really popular. Nessun Dorma was as stunning as any I've heard, and to end the first half with the famous Pearl Fishers' Duet was just brilliant.
The second half consisted of Puccini's Messa di Gloria - a fabulous piece of exuberant, operatic writing. It was so enjoyable, and the choir so clearly enjoyed themselves. Indeed, it has to be said that those few who weren't smiling were very noticeable amongst the great majority who were clearly engaged with this music. As ever the choir's accompanist Richard Lea supported with the utmost skill. And also, as usual, David Holroyd had thoroughly drilled his choir, so that they were able to respond to the nuances of the music, and gave a very dynamic performance; at times almost explosive, whilst at others very poised and floating into Our Lady's demanding and responsive acoustic.
After the huge success of the Phil concert, one always wonders how the choir will fare, when they're back on the ground in Formby - and as they've proved several times before - they will always rise to the new challenges of each concert, and give us every reason to proud of our Formby Choral Society.
MC
An interesting email from a new-comer to Formby - who bought tickets online on the day of the concert - but hadn't received confirmation, because the digital 'box-office' was at the rehearsal!
We had no problem whatsoever getting in to the concert last night. Indeed the ladies on the door were very helpful, once I produced my PayPal receipt. I can appreciate the difficulties with online ticket sales, and I applaud you for offering this service.
We are new to the area, having just moved to Southport. Consequently, it was our first FCS concert and our first visit to Formby. We thoroughly enjoyed the concert - the choral singing and male soloists were just superb. We also enjoyed the very talented younger soloists, and the accompanist, who did an absolutely sterling job.
The church provided a beautiful setting. The acoustics were less than ideal - the building added a harsh resonance in the loud passages. Maybe some re-positioning of the piano and soloists might have helped, but I can see the options are limited in this venue.
All in all, a very interesting and enjoyable programme. We look forward to the next concert !
Best regards,
John
At 'the Phil' ...
What should we expect? Well, from all my spies told me this time: something rather special!
"MC"'s full review to follow shortly!
Rossini's NOT very petite, not at all Solemn Mass ...
Of course my spies were at it again. But this time, how good to hear them positive. Some weeks ago: I don't see how we can keep going with this until November
Last night: Wasn't it good that we had time to put so much detail into the performance.
Aren't singers such bizarre creatures? Apparently so easily bored - yet clearly thoroughly excited and motivated for this wonderful concert.
I loved the combination of piano and harmonium, and whilst FCS's recent concerts with an orchestra have been exciting and communicative, I have to say that the use of just piano and harmonium really worked.
MC
Thank you for inviting me to sing with your wonderful choir - they just get better - so exciting, and so encouraging to sing in front of such supportive and sympathetic accompanying choristers.
I love hearing our local choir in Our Lady's when they are unencumbered by an orchestra ... then you can hear the detail and subtlety added by the weeks of rehearsal.
Of course, it's always exciting to see the Choir with an orchestral accompaniment. But with the best will in the world, and all the skill of Richard Lea and Jon Barton, an orchestra fires the choir into realising just how important they are ...
The Creation - in full
It took God six days, but we saw through Haydn’s version in two hours and ten minutes
I had great feedback from my friends and folk from St P’s – ‘the choir just gets better and better’ was one comment. The soloists were a great bunch, Jocelyn sublime and Stephen Hargreaves deserves a bonus – he was the only one who never got a break! Fantastic playing. And you as always work so hard and bring out the best in us. Thank you. Shirley
It was a great to have the chance to work with FCS and some fantastic soloists. Stephen Hargreaves
Just wanted to thank you very much for a wonderful concert on Saturday - I really enjoyed it and I thought the choir sounded great ... Jocelyn
And the ‘outside’ opinion of one of our “regulars”
Well, if in the past, my “spies” have been negative, without cause, on this occasion, they were completely positive. And with every reason.
Haydn’s Creation is a sublime work, and something I would expect the choir to tackle with gusto. I knew they were looking forward to hearing their soprano soloist (Jocelyn Somerville) again after her previous performance in Rutter’s Requiem, and in the ‘Scratch Messiah’ put on by the friends in Birkenhead.
This was a “proper” concert, if I dare say so; as opposed to the fragmented concerts we have had in many recent summers. I understand the choir’s desire to support local youngsters, but all too often the summer concert programmes have seemed a mish-mash, despite their alliterative attempts at themed planning. This year saw the regular inclusion of the boys from Crosby, so a “proper” concert didn’t really deprive too many youngsters of a platform.
Anyway enough of that ... we also had only an organ, and not an orchestra. Whilst the colour of Haydn’s orchestration is enchanting, as had been said before, there is something to be said about hearing Formby Choral Society without the orchestra, when it is possible to hear the detail and finesse of their own performance in all its glory.
Three soloists enhanced the performance, and whilst Thomas Eaglen’s youthful bass voice promises much for the future, it has to be said that Jocelyn Somerville shone in the taxing soprano solos. Musical, colourful and sensitive (indeed sensual in the Adam and Eve scene) - she has great potential.
Stephen Hargreaves was outstanding on the Phoenix digital organ, playing more notes than is surely possible in one evening.
As might be expected of him, David Holroyd had clearly laid down the law that the whole work should proceed fluently and at brisk tempi. The whole performance was indeed just that - a whole. The music flowed and told the story in a thoroughly captivating way. It was a surprise to find we’d arrived at the ‘interval’. As Haydn’s music told the story, so the whole performance captured the drama.
My spies’ predictions were on this occasion completely justified. Why don’t they always ‘keep the faith’, for this choir only goes from strength to strength. It was good to see new faces - they might have been nervous of their first concert with the choir, but they looked as fully committed as the rest of the choir. Talking of committed - it was good that the men were as much ‘on board’ as the women. Not always the case in Our Lady’s, and maybe helped by the lack of orchestra, and David Holroyd’s consequent proximity to those who chose get their heads up and watch. (I am still amazed how he produces such unified performances from his choir, when there are a fair few who don’t seem to look up very often!)
Having on occasions bemoaned the lack of public support for their local, and very special, choir - it has to be said that the people of Formby (and around) turned out in good numbers for this concert - and gave truly generous applause at the end. I suspect some of this was for Jocelyn who almost stole the show, but Stephen thoroughly deserved his acknowledgement - and as ever the choir did take the centre stage of the whole evening.
After the drama of Verdi at “the Phil”, I thought the choir might have felt ‘flat’ - but no - they raised their game to a different level for a very different work. And next? The Rossini in November is bound to be huge fun. I can’t wait.
MC, Liverpool