After a strong, crisply articulated national anthem, the choir continued with Sound Ye Trumpets — a robust anthem by Handel and ideal repertoire for the 50 male voices. Stout-hearted Men and Land of Hope and Glory later in the programme achieved similar energy. Reasonably clear diction revealed the story-line effectively in Pedro the Fisherman and another highlight among the choir’s 12 numbers was Rhythm of Life, with excellent duo accompaniment from pianists Linda Folland and Frances Brodie.
The choir regularly gives performing opportunity to emerging musicians, many of whom go on to become professionals. Yesterday continued this tradition with two young violinists whose performances already demonstrate sound technique and maturity in interpretation. Victoria Williamson (year 12) played Kroll’s Banjo and Fiddle and Skyla Murray (year 8) delivered a very sensitive rendition of Romance Op. 26 by Svendsen, then together with their accompanist, John Van Buskirk, performed a well-balanced and sympathetically matched Concerto for Two Violins in D Major by J.S. Bach.
Other guest artists were baritone Rory Sweeney — currently at the University of Otago — who sang three solos, and Sophie Sparrow, an Otago graduate soon to leave for further voice studies overseas, who showcased the growth and maturity of her soprano range with three solos accompanied by Van Buskirk: all-time favourite Vilia (Lehar), Ritchie’s He Moemoa and the humorous aria by J Strauss Mein Herr Marquis. Sings Hilda (directed by Michael Grant and Ben Madden) presented a bracket of challenging choral arrangements from their recent Big Sing success.
David Burchell accompanied on the organ and the concert was compered by Lyn Murray.
Royal Dunedin Male Choir
Dunedin Town Hall, Sunday, June 17
