On Saturday evening Tyndale Choral Society held their annual summer concert in Dursley Parish Church. Under the expert baton of Michael Power, they presented a programme of opera choruses and excerpts from Sir Edward German’s opera, Merrie England, in celebration of their 40th season. The programme included both well and lesser-known choruses, including March of the Toreadors from Carmen and Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco by Verdi. The choir performed all in an appropriate style, with clear words and obvious enjoyment. A very popular choice was the Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor by Borodin. This was a very dramatic performance, enhanced by the skilful playing of Christopher Boodle at the piano, who made the incredibly difficult accompaniment sound a lot easier than it actually is.

The Choral Society was joined by four excellent soloists, who showed their talent in their first appearance in the concert with an unaccompanied quartet from The Mikado. The contralto soloist, Gloria Finch gave a dramatic interpretation of Katisha, a cheated maiden, also from the Mikado. Tenor Bill Bowers-Broadbent sang an aria from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Gondoliers with feeling and musicality, and sang Sir Walter Raleigh in Merrie England. In the final chorus of the first half, the choir showed their versatility and stretched the audience’s imagination as they sang the parts of Egyptian handmaidens and High Priests.

The excerpts from Merrie England gave soprano Ruth Harper and bass Richard Bacon a chance to shine. Ruth gave a moving performance of the aria She had a letter from her love, which showed the clarity and range of her voice, which also carried so well over the other voices in tutti sections throughout the concert. Richard Bacon was well suited to the part of The Earl of Essex and was well supported by the chorus in The Yeomen of England. Anne Shipton sang the part of Jill strongly from within the choir, and Gloria Finch as Queen Elizabeth displayed her highest vocal register in stately grandeur.

All in all, this was a very pleasant way to spend a damp summer’s evening, and I look forward to hearing another 40 seasons of this thriving choral society.