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The hall of the Convention Centre at the Crown Plaza echoed to the sound of glorious music and enchanting voices for the last time this season on Friday night.
With a powerful rendition of works by Hadyn, Handel and Puccini The Manama Singers and Bahrain Concert Sinfonia lifted the spirits of the audience and, for a brief while, made everyone forget the weather, the economic climate and the traffic awaiting them on the journey home.
No one should ever doubt that Alistair Auld, conductor and mastermind of the performance, knows the Manama Singers and the Sinfonia well. His choice of music was, as always, superb and highlighted their collective talents.
Indeed, the respect which they and Mr Auld have gained in the music world can be seen in the calibre of soloists who are willing to make time to come to Bahrain and perform alongside our Gulf-based musicians and choristers.
The programme opened with the emotive chords of Zadok the Priest, the Coronation Anthem by Handel soaring to the ceiling as the choir and orchestra joined forces in celebration.
Swiftly followed by Arrival of The Queen of Sheba, again by Handel, the music reverberated around the hall filling every inch with alternately exuberant and delicate sounds as the oboes worked their counterpoint with the choir. This year is Handel's 250th anniversary. Yet somehow, the music is as fresh and current as if it were written yesterday.
Next came Insanae et Vanae Curae a beautiful piece that pits the orchestra and the choir against each other in the opening sequences as each part of the celestial storm compete for dominance of the listener's soul.
The horns and the timpani seemed as a flame in the darkness calling the audience closer to the raging firmament. Just as all seemed lost the soprano and alto section lifted our spirits offering hope of new beginnings and the pristine notes intertwined leaving us emotionally bruised yet contemplating hope and light. A magical piece of music turned into a tour de force!
The last item before the interval was Haydn's Te Deum - another choral masterpiece. Centered round a magnificent adagio this rendition was beautifully mastered and crafted into a stunningly interwoven balance of Gregorian plainchant and an anthem to joy and thanksgiving.
As the lights dimmed and the two guest soloists were seated on the stage I think the entire audience knew that they were to be greeted by something simply stunning.
What the performers did not know was that they had a secret audience.
I had phoned my mother in England to let her hear the heart string-pulling Kyrie Eleison from the Messa Di Gloria!
From the first fluid interplay of choir and orchestra to the closing notes of Cum Sancto Spirito we were offered a musical treat to rival anything performed in Europe this year.
The first guest soloist, Clifford Lister - tenor, displayed his love of religious choral works with every syllabent note cresting above the orchestral backdrop and second guest soloist, Colin Campbell - bass, exuded power as only an opera singer of renown can do.
I always say that it is impossible to pick out outstanding musicians and choristers.
Every single member of the Manama Singers and the Bahrain Concert Sinfonia seems to play not only from their heart, or love of the music, but for the glory of being part of the whole. This time I am going to stick to my word. If I could, I would shake hands with each and every one of them and thank them for bringing something magical to Bahrain.
I have watched and marvelled at how the essentially disparate group has come together over the past few years under the guidance, enthusiasm and talent of Alistair Auld. Their professionalism has increased beyond imagination.
If I may have one little suggestion for the next season; it is that a video scene be erected so that the audience can have a bird's eye view of Mr Auld's exuberant style of conducting!
