Author Archives: vhk10

Opera at the V & A

Posted on March 1, 2018 by vhk10

I caught the V & A’s exhibition Opera: Power, Passion and Politics 10 days or so before it closed (which it has done now – sorry), and found it thought-provoking though not in the ‘unmissable’ category. The exhibitions centres on … Continue reading →

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Jenůfa at Hayesfield

Posted on February 28, 2018 by vhk10

Bath Opera have found a new venue; the Roper Theatre at Hayesfield School, which I visited a couple of years ago (when it was brand new) to see my son’s final-year primary school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. We … Continue reading →

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Come and Sing (2): the Mass in Blue

Posted on February 13, 2018 by vhk10

Six days later, it was a very different though equally challenging take on the Ordinary of the Mass, as Will Todd’s Mass in Blue was the featured work in Bristol Choral Society’s first Come and Sing of 2018. I’d heard … Continue reading →

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Come and Sing (1): the Missa Solemnis

Posted on February 13, 2018 by vhk10

I don’t do very many ‘come and sing’ workshop type events, but this spring there are two, six days apart. The first was looking at Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis with Gavin Carr (and Gerry Hoddinott on piano). Several dozen of us … Continue reading →

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buying CDs at the farmers’ market

Posted on February 1, 2018 by vhk10

Bath Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturday mornings. The market stalls stand next to other stalls which are there all week, including one that sells second-hand DVDs and CDs. Among the latter there is a small selection of classical ones, … Continue reading →

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not on the front row

Posted on January 27, 2018 by vhk10

I joined the choir of St Peter’s Caversham to sing evensong at Bristol Cathedral. We were quite numerous so made 3 rows on each side, with me in one of the middle ones, which felt unusual in Cathedral choir stalls. … Continue reading →

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a new rehearsal room

Posted on January 14, 2018 by vhk10

Our choir is going to be rehearsing somewhere else next season, as our current venue will be for University use only after the summer. I’m not part of the process of choosing a new rehearsal location, but here are some … Continue reading →

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2017 in review

Posted on January 14, 2018 by vhk10

2017 was a much quieter year musically than 2016, though not uneventful. The most notable single event was that I fulfilled my ambition to sing in a Promenade concert. A rather unusual programme, but it was well received. I am … Continue reading →

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9 Lessons and Candles

Posted on January 14, 2018 by vhk10

Most 9 Lessons and Carols services are not lit by candles held by the congregation, the reason being that it is hard work keeping one alight for nearly two hours (in practice they have to be lit a little before … Continue reading →

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a change from Messiah

Posted on January 12, 2018 by vhk10

This year Bristol Choral Society didn’t do Messiah, but put on a programme called ‘An English Christmas’. I was glad of the change as, apart from the anthems we sing in church and bits of carol singing, I don’t get … Continue reading →

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