Capers with that?

CAN YOU HANDEL IT? The Gisborne Choral Society's upcoming concert, Choral Capers promises a Handel sandwich with a meaty middle of Mozart-sprinkled tasty surprises. Handel is said to be noted for his appetite but in 1754, Joseph Goupy, an engraver, painter, set designer, watercolourist and close friend of Handel's until they fell out, published an unfair, satirical caricature of the composer as a fat boar playing the organ surrounded by an excess of food and drink.Picture supplied

A club sandwich of a free concert is promised with the Gisborne Choral Society's upcoming concert, Choral Capers.

With bread and butter Handel choruses on the outside, a meaty middle of Mozart and other morsels, and lots of salad and spices, the concert will be a “big exhale” after the long spell of forced inactivity, says musical director Gavin Maclean.

Some “world music” items are a fresh venture for the choir and will be conducted by Amanda Maclean, who sang and assisted the 300-strong Wellington World Choir when she lived in the capital.

New to Gisborne, organist Sean Scanlen will provide some organ accompaniment and a sparkling solo piece.

“There is also a new vocal quartet, an awesome foursome of Catherine Macdonald, Maddy Jones, Mary-Jane Richmond and Coralie Hunter, with a bracket of pre-classical and romantic items.”

Student soprano Rosie West will sing a passionate Mozart aria, and Jones and Macdonald will be joined by Maclean for the famous trio from Cosi fan tutte, with Coralie Hunter at the piano.

“The ever-popular double-piano duo of Land of Hope and Glory — from past Piano Extravaganzas — will again rear its head, tempting the oldies to sing along,” says Maclean.

A few other audience items will be thrown in, along with an invitation to join the Hallelujah chorus, and the afternoon tea.