"It was a truly magical experience listening to you singing without scores again, all of you on the very tip top point of David’s baton.  It was as if his baton was a paint brush creating, with a sweep of his arm, shades of colours from dark to light and back again in a few musical milliseconds.  The effect was electrifying and unforgettable." (E. Howard)

Yesterday, the choir put away their scores and performed Verdi's Requiem in Winchester Cathedral to a rapt full house. Singing without the score places huge demands on singers and conductor alike, but the reward of removing this paper barrier between the choir and the audience is manifestly worthwhile.  The buzz created within the choir when we announced this season's programme quickly translated to remarkable ticket sales as soon as the box office went live, and interest in the event was sustained right up to the last minute, with tourist-visitors to the Cathedral treated to an unexpected opportunity to eavesdrop on our afternoon rehearsal.  Not that one had to strain one's ears to overhear!  As a friend and singing-colleague wittily posted on Facebook during a break in rehearsal, "Winchester residents, if your foundations are vibrating it's just the brass and timpani getting going, rehearsing for Verdi"  

See the next blog, entitled Reviews. 

Deborah

Image © www.vocalrecording.co.uk