Review of Classical Choral

Classical Choral - Featuring Cor Baroc, Cor Meibion Llanelli, Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor), Trystan Lewis (bass), Alan Fewster (organ) and the Glamorgan Chamber Orchestra (Leader: Mansel Hughes) at Tabernacle Chapel, Llanelli, Saturday, October 9.

More than 130 voices running at full throttle, a testing European circuit and stirring individual performances . . .

This was ‘Grand Prix class’ singing in the best choral tradition.

At the controls was Eifion Thomas, who has long been recognised as one of the torch bearers when it comes to keeping Llanelli’s rich musical tradition alive.

It is a role he revels in, as he proved when he brought two of his choirs centre stage for ‘Classical Choral’ at Tabernacle.

Taking centre stage were Cor Baroc, a 65-strong mixed choir formed by Mr Thomas in 2006.

They were joined by Cor Meibion Llanelli, the juggernaut 70-strong male voice choir which enjoys a worldwide reputation.

And the individual flair was provided by four young soloists - Adele O’Neill (soprano), Sarah Pottinger (mezzo-soprano), Richard Allen (tenor) and Trystan Lewis (bass).

Under the musical direction of Mr Thomas, we were treated to a musical journey through works by some of Europe’s greatest composers.

There may have been a couple of minor bumps along the way, but the end result was a stirring, heart-racing trip which left the Tabernacle audience breathless and exhilarated.

The programme included – Requiem in C by Charles Gounod; Wie Selig Sind Die Toten by Felix Mendelssohn; Una Voce Poco Fa by Rossini; the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves from Verdi’s Nabucco; the Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana; Donizetti’s Mary Stuart’s Prayer; the Prisoners’ Chorus from Beethoven’s Fidelio; and a selection from Verdi’s I Lombardi.

Gounod’s Requiem in C is rarely heard today. In fact, Mr Thomas had to delve through the dusty archives at the treasure-trove which is Llanelli public library to find a copy of the score.

Once the early cobwebs had been blown away, it was given a stirring revival by Cor Baroc and the soloists.

Pembrey-born Sarah Pottinger provided one of the individual highspots of the evening with a dramatic rendition of Rosina’s Una Voce Poco Fa aria from the Barber of Seville.

Soprano Adele O’Neill was every bit her equal in Donizetti’s Mary Stuart’s Prayer.

Sterling support was provided throughout by the Glamorgan Chamber Orchestra (leader Mansel Hughes), while the organist was Allan Fewster

All in all, it was an evening when collective power outshone individual triumphs.

More than 130 choristers in full voice provides a vocal treat designed to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

And they achieved just that with the Chorus of Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco and the final act of I Lombardi.

Musical director Eifion Thomas loves his Verdi. And Llanelli loves its rich choral tradition. On the evidence of this, it will continue to thrive long into the future.

RL