MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Bartholomeu Dias’ caravel set sail last Saturday evening, 26 May with a 40-strong Carpe Musicam! crew.
They sang up a storm that would have had the Flying Dutchman himself reaching for his sou’wester and singing “Hallelujah!” at the top of his voice.
And Hallelujah! was precisely what the crew sang, ably assisted by the 32-piece Carpe Musicam! Orchestra strategically sited on the quayside. Cheered on by the 150-plus member audience’s three standing ovations, they worked their way through three Hallelujah!
There were choruses by Handel, Beethoven and contemporary British composer Paul Barker and much more besides.
Lyric tenor soloist, Hannes Wannenburg, sang the story of Stephen Foster’s Dream of the Holy City - twice - with a clear tone and even clearer diction. Paul Barker’s MASSive - a Mass in Rock was performed enthusiastically in its entirety and George-based “pocket diva”, Ninette Smit, enthralled the audience with her tender rendition of the multi-award-winning third movement -Pie Jesu.
Beethoven’s Hallelujah from the oratorio, Christ on the Mount of Olives was a showstopper with full orchestra and choir giving everything they had.
Gentler moments were provided by Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus and Domine Jesu Christe - a Paul Barker adaptation of the slow movement of Wolfgang Amadeus’ Concerto for Flute and Harp.
The choir and orchestra work well together and offer a well-balanced overall sound. Only during the beautiful Gabriella’s Song did the orchestra’s enthusiasm partly overwhelm the choir.
With plenty of good food on sale before the show and during the interval, beautifully open acoustics, a stunning backdrop and soul-stirring music, the concert was most enjoyable. The next performance of Carpe Musicam!, Transports of Delight, on 25 August should not be missed.
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