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News & Reviews
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Choral Workshops |
| February 2010:
Gounod's St Cecilia Mass was studied at this year's choral
workshop in Kingsbridge, with nearly 100 people attending.
February 2009: Lux Aeterna,
by the contemporary American composer Morten Lauridsen, was the subject of a choral workshop
held in Kingsbridge in February 2009, which attracted nearly 90 people.
There were many comments from the singers on the sheer beauty of the music. |
The Choral Workshop in February 2009 |
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Alvington Singers sing the Salcombe Fringe
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Rossini. What springs to mind? Opera, of course, with
“William Tell” & “The Barber” at the top. It’s unlikely you’ve thought of
sacred music. After writing 39 operas, Rossini ‘retired’ at the age of 37
and wrote almost nothing of consequence for the next 25 years. His final
work, written in 1863 at the age of 71, was “the last mortal sin of my old
age”. It was the Petite Messe Solennelle, which was the main work in a
concert by the Alvington Singers in Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe on 20th
June 2008.
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The Alvington Singers at Holy Trinity Church, Salcombe,
June 2008 |
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The Alvington Singers are well used to singing in a variety
of styles and this proved useful since the movements of the Messe range from
Medieval to Romantic opera, and from counterpoint to Romantic harmonies.
There is also some stunning writing for the four soloists and Rossini is at
his operatic best in these. Caren Friel (soprano) and Timothy Lacy (tenor)
have both been choral scholars; Penny Schroeter (contralto) and John
Wordsworth (bass) both have extensive experience in opera and choral works.
The music allowed them to explore the full range of their skills. The
choir’s brilliant accompanist Kathy Kenny excelled in this marathon for
piano, whilst Judith Henderson provided valuable support on the Harmonium -
an unusual addition by Rossini in some of the movements.
Alastair Durden, the Singers’ conductor, had interpolated a
Rachmaninov Ave Maria and a Bruckner motet Christus Factus est,
one in each half, to provide an interesting framework to a concert in which
all the performers gave a sometimes moving, sometimes exhilarating rendition
of the Messe. |
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Alvington singers win two cups |
On May 8th two years ago we took part in the Torbay and South West of
England Festival, where we were awarded two cups. We won the Lilian Goss cup
for mixed four-part choirs, and also the Endsleigh Trophy for our
performance in the Spirituals class. It was the first time our choir has
entered this festival competition, so we were delighted with our success. It
was an enjoyable and friendly occasion, where we were able to meet with the
other choirs taking part and to hear their performances. |
The Alvington Singers at the Torbay and South West of England Music
Festival, May 2008
The Alvington Singers receive the Endsleigh Trophy at the Torbay Festival,
May 2008
Presented to conductor, Alastair Durden, by the
adjudicator, Robin Mundy |
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