A summer evening on the lawns of TASIS preceded by a concert in lighter
vein in the Fleming Theatre and rounded off with “Last Night of the
Proms” style community singing has now become something of a tradition
for Egham & District Choral Society and its supporters during the
month of June, and this year’s Mediterranean heat made it all the more
enjoyable, although fans for cooling hot faces were “de rigeur” in the
theatre. However, as this year’s musical offering was a concert
performance of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “The Mikado” fans were entirely
appropriate!
As well as the fact that this music is great fun,
it offered plenty of opportunity for the numerous fine solo voices of
the choir to shine like the “sun whose rays are all ablaze with ever
living glory.” In fact Wendy Kessack to whom the setting of these
words was accorded deserves special mention for her professional
calibre voice, and Mike Davis as the eponymous Mikado also stood out,
for the character in his singing as well as a good bass voice.
Margaret Hull’s sturdy alto also suited her role as Katisha, the
“daughter-in-law elect.” Other soloists were Emma Brickell, Anna
Foster, Alison and Stephen Hatherall, Ruth Hopkins, Cecil Hull,
Catherine Jennaway, Steve Merrony, Melanie Pandit, Rosalie Pike and Ray
Tregoning, all acquitting themselves creditably, even though some were
singing solos for the first time.
The chorus provided suitably
mellifluous backing to all the solo parts, and a novel approach was to
have the spoken voices of Gilbert (David Young) and Sullivan (Lionel
Pike) providing background commentary in a lighthearted vein on the
influences and satirical ideas behind the writing of the opera.
Some local and topical words were also added to the Lord High
Executioner’s well-known “little list.”
Special mention must go
to both the musical director, Dr. Lionel Pike, and to the accompanist
David Darby, both well known in musical circles, and performing the
overture to the opera together in piano duet version. During the
“wine and dine” interval background music including excerpts from
Bizet’s “Carmen”, Cole Porter, Gershwin etc. was suavely provided by
the “Brass Monkeys” who also accompanied the patriotic closing choruses
and the National Anthem, highly appropriate on the Queen’s birthday.
The
choir rehearses on Monday evenings in the United Church of Egham from
7.30 to 9.30 pm and next term brings performances of Handel’s “Messiah”
in November, and two Christmas concerts in December. If you are
interested in singing come to a rehearsal and speak to a committee
member if you want to join, or phone the Membership Secretary Marion
Newell on 01932 563092.
Valerie Ward - June 2006