Contrasting moods effectively highlighted
Chichester Observer, 2nd June 2005

The Shopywhyke Singers,
Boxgrove Priory
Review: MAUREEN HAINES

THE Shopwhyke Singers' presented a challenging programme of music at Boxgrove Priory.

The concert opened with the Stabat Mater from Verdi’s Four Sacred Pieces and set the tone for the evening with their well disciplined singing highlighting the contrasting moods of this work.

Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms followed and the choir successfully negotiated the complex rhythms and harmonies helped by a wisely chosen slower tempo than is usually selected. The treble Harry Lighton entranced the audience with his confident singing and purity of tone.

The final work was Puccini’s Messa di Goria and the choir reveled in the operatic melodies though there were some unstable moments and the dynamic range (so effectively displayed in the Verdi) was less apparent. The two soloists David Burrows and Jonathan Brown were the icing on the cake (though Jonathan was obviously not on top form vocally) with their dramatic interpretation of their arias.

The organist was Matthew Cooke who is to be congratulated with the way in which he effectively coped with playing the complex orchestral arrangements. The Singers were efficiently conducted by Alexander Dichmont.