Sunday, May 30th 2010, saw the fifth concert by Halesworth Festival Voices. Most of these have been “at home” in Halesworth. This concert seemed to the reviewer to mark the point at which this relatively new choir began to consistently – and beautifully – sound together (symphonia).

The audience was utterly spellbound by the performance of Sonia Grane, the young Portuguese soprano, as she sang Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum”. She performed with beauty, accuracy and passion and will no doubt be a familiar name in time to come.

Mozart’s “Ave Verum” – a hymn to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist – is often rushed by many a church choir. Ian Humphris’ decision to keep the original slow temp paid off, and the choir demonstrated its ability to phrase appropriately – without running out of breath!

Standchen, by Schubert, is a rather beautiful love song, and the arrangement for choir and strings was performed with feeling and sensitivity.

Schubert’s setting of the 23rd Psalm was here arranged for SATB and strings. This wonderfully lyrical work came alive under Ian Humphris’ batten – and this was his arrangement.

The choir gave a tremendous performance of the Tridentine Mass.. Here there was such a strong sense of the many voices sounding together. The conductor had trained them well to watch him and to listen to each other, producing a rounded and satisfying performance.

This evening’s performance was a great delight. Perhaps one goes to Snape or London for an utterly flawless performance, but one is certainly not short-changed by this worthy group of singers (and players) who perform forthe sheer love the music itself.

It is not long to the concert on Saturday 16th October where the Choir and Strings will perform Faure in St Mary’s Church as part of the Halesworth Arts Festival where there will also be another opportunity to hear the gorgeous Sonia Grane. Previous experience, and the high standards reached in this concert, make it advisable to book your tickets as soon as they become available.

Box office opens on August 1st for postal bookings at “The Cut” Arts Centre, Halesworth.. Telephone bookings on 01986 874264 from September 1st.