After the days of splendour and celebration for the Diamond Jubilee of H. M. The Queen in London and all over the country, it was fitting to find a conclusion to the excitements with the Festival Choir giving their Bollington audience an evening with Gilbert and Sullivan. It was a happy choice, very English, as the Savoy Operas speak to the English people in a way that is part of the essence of this country. The sharp wit, the tunefulness, the irreverence and familiarity have created a special world of finely wrought music, satire, hilarious plots, jaunty high spirits and a wealth of tenderness with it all that has delighted a century of performers and audiences up and down the country: and so such an evening of pleasure was brought to us by the choir and soloists who recreated this well-loved atmosphere. It was light, it was humorous, tender and stalwart – all as it should be, especially on this occasion.
Sullivan’s scores adapted for piano accompaniment were in the competent hands of Andrew Cummings who played throughout the performance with expressive eloquence, responding to every demand of the composer. Sullivan’s music is not simply light music: the operas are works of art both in score and libretto, a perfect blending of one with the other. And so with this to accompany them, the singers did justice to the selections from seven operas. With Fiona Hymns, a charming soprano from the R.N.C.M. leading solo singers from the choir, the whole presentation under Donald Judge their conductor was a joy to hear. The style throughout was precise, nothing exaggerated or self-conscious, and all kept well within the score. The simple tenderness of young love from Fiona Hymns and the clever re-wording of Steve Thorpe in his ‘little list’ will remain in the memory: and it was a special pleasure to hear Donald Judge, their conductor who devised the whole programme, reveal his own bass voice as the Sergeant of Police. There was a lovely tenderness in the ensemble for “Brightly dawns our wedding day” and the demure charm of Mary Halloran’s ‘Buttercup’ added to the enchantment. It is always stirring to hear all-male voices and most welcome was the rousing account of the ‘Peers Chorus’ by the men of the choir.
The whole concert was held together by Frank Walker. He linked the items with a narrative that recalled the background of difficulties and frustrations from which these works of art emerged. These references to the pain and labour behind the joyousness of the operas reminded the audience of the cost, especially to Sullivan, of such a brilliant collaboration.
It is invidious to have to select only a few highlights to mention in this account when the success of this delightful evening rested on each performer taking part, and there were many individual moments of felicity. But the general poise and balance between the fun and serious musical quality made this an excellent concert which brought much good cheer and satisfaction to the audience.
JH