..."Inviting the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir to join forces with Portsmouth's leading large-scale classical chorus might have seemed simply a ploy to give its performance of Verdi's Requiem more welly. But although the big set-pieces certainly did make a might impact, the more significant effect was in enhancing the richness and suppleness of verbal expression at all dynamic levels. The performance was also blessed with four soloists - one, the tenor, a late replacement [Christopher Lemmings kindly stood in for an ailing Andrew] - who had clearly bought into conductor Jonathan Willcocks' concept of balancing the music's dramatic and devotional aspects. Soprano Claire Seaton and mezzo Susanna Spicer set the standard in their Recordare and Agnus Dei duets. These were deeply felt with beautiful shading of tone and voices interweaving seamlessly. And the Lacrymosa, involving all four soloists and chorus, was as tight in ensemble as it was satisfying in meaning..."

The concert was repeated on November 7th in Leamington Spa, conducted by Nigel Stark to equally rapturous acclaim, particularly for Andrew who had by then recovered sufficiently to nail the Ingemisco in true style.

Claire, Andrew and Michael will be joined by Deborah for another performance of the work in Winchester Cathedral in May 2010 (see diary).

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