There was a full house at St John’s Church for Wellington Choral Society’s spring concert on Saturday 30 March for a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion, conducted by Laurence Blyth.
The Society was delighted that its Patron, the soprano Elizabeth Watts, was able to join the audience for the first half of the concert, before returning home to her baby twins. Elizabeth’s voice has been described by International Record Review as “one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation” and she is “now established as one of Britain’s leading sopranos” (The Guardian). The Society also once again welcomed the Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Gary James, a good friend and supporter of the Society, and his wife Bea.
It is only the second time in the history of Wellington Choral Society that it has performed the oratorio; the Society last sang the Passion on 29 March 1952 almost exactly 67 years ago, joined by Wellington School Choir, and conducted by Patrick Forbes, music master at Wellington School.
In this latest performance Wellington Sinfonia provided the double orchestra and the Society was joined by nationally and internationally known soloists, Nicholas Hawker (tenor) as the Evangelist, Tim Mirfin (bass) as Jesus, together with a second choir of experienced and talented singers, some of whom sang arias as soloists.
Members of the audience praised the performance: “an amazing performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion”, “a triumph”, “a powerful and moving performance”. The conductor, Laurence Blyth, received many messages of congratulations from soloists and players, and Elizabeth Watts tweeted “V proud to be their Patron. Bravi tutti!”
In May Elizabeth will be one of three adjudicators of the Somerset Song Prize 2019, a national biennial song competition which her husband Guy Robinson, who himself was a soloist with the choral society some years ago, helped to establish. Preliminary rounds are currently being held around the country and on Sunday 18 May the semi-final will take place at the Temple Methodist Church, Taunton, with the final there the following day, Sunday 19 May, beginning at 2.00 pm.
Wellington Choral Society takes a break now, but in November 2019 it will give a performance of Brahms German Requiem. Rehearsals start on Wednesday 4 September at Wellington Methodist Church, TA21 8JQ, and the Society is always happy to welcome new members. For more information, visit www.wellingtonchoralsociety.org.uk