Recent Activities –

Saturday November 24th, 2007 – Holy Trinity Church

The centrepiece of our Autumn concert was a performance of the Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto No.1 in a performance given by the Shropshire Concerto Competition winner, Abigail Taylor (right).  

The full programme comprised...
Donizetti – “Don Pasquale” Overture
Saint-Saëns  –  Cello Concerto in A minor (soloist: Abigail Taylor)
Brahms  –  Symphony No. 4 in E minor

Following last Spring's concert of Ballet music this time it was the turn of the world of Opera to be given an airing.

Philippa Dearsley – soloist, teacher and workshop leader – headed a cast of soloists and choir for an evening of opera arias, ensembles and finales.

The evening was a sell-out, with only a handful of the 235 seats left vacant.  With the combined choirs of Cantiones and The Guilsfield Singers - under Chorus Master Gerry Howe - the evening included...
Wagner  –  “Die Meistersinger” Overture
Mozart  –  “Magic Flute” Overture
Bizet  –  Farandole (“L’Arlésienne Suite”)
Verdi  –  “Humming Chorus” (Madama Butterfly)
            “Chorus of The Hebrew Slaves” (Nabucco)
            “Anvil Chorus” (Il Trovatore)
Mascagni  –  Intermezzo & Easter Hymn (Cavalleria Rusticana)

In addition, there was some stunning aria singing from Die Fledermaus, La Bohème, Tosca and The Magic Flute sung by Philippa Dearsley .