I had a twofold reason for going to the benefit concert for Bath Minerva choir: I have sung with the choir and know many members and it was held in the theatre at the children’s school. The conductor of the choir was joined by three of his fellow professional singers for an evening of opera arias.
There was a definite French flavour with the Pearl Fishers turning up three times, along with music by Délibes, Gounod and Saint-Saëns. But other great operatic traditions were also represented. I could bring to mind productions I’d seen of many of the works from which the arias came, though I might have to wait a while for Gounod’s Mireille; it hasn’t been performed in this country since the 19th century!
We had entertaining introductions to ease the transitions between plots and styles. I know that some sneer at concerts like this as not being a substitute for going to entire operas, but they are a pleasant way to spend an evening and all including the performers seemed to enjoy themselves.
One other concert I went to this month was Stephen Cleobury giving a Saturday afternoon organ recital in Bath Abbey. I only found out about this at a late stage and there was just time to trot down and hear him. A programme change brought what I think is my favourite organ piece of all: Franck’s Chorale in A minor.