Some operatic choruses are not very familiar, others are well known and memorable for catchy rhythms and attractive melodies - but a selection will always find favour with a concert audience, as was the case with this programme.
The choir of 40 plus members responded enthusiastically to Joseph Christensen's clear direction, with well contrasted dynamics and changes in style clearly projected - not always an easy task with items performed out of context without the build-up of the surrounding story and music.
The chorus from Cavalleria Rusticana, opening the programme, sounded slightly tentative, but the Easter Hymn from the same opera, where the choir was joined by soprano soloist Oriana Kershaw, was much more confidently sung and made a fine end to the first half of the programme.
The Chorus of the Enchanted Islanders by Handel and the Voyagers' Chorus by Mozart, were stylishly sung, while the final extended, and well-known Polovtsian Dances by Borodin, made an impressive end to the whole programme.
The Priests' Chorus by Mozart, for men's voices alone, and the Spinning Chorus by Wagner for women's voices, sounded less secure and somewhat tentative.
