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The Manama Singers and Bahrain Sinfonia gave another glorious concert at The Crowne Plaza Convention Centre on Saturday.
Performing Mozart's Requiem, Divertimento No 1 and Piano Concerto No 23, they proved once again that they can stand alongside professional choirs and orchestras with their heads held high.
Conductor and Musical Director Alistair Auld, who always manages to infuse his own personal joy de vie into both his conducting and arrangements, held all the performers under his thrall with the lightest of touches, allowing everyone to shine.
Undeniably, the star of the evening was Sid Ramchander. Young Musician of the Gulf Award winner in 2008 and now studying music full-time in Europe, he gave a recital to be remembered for a long, long time.
His rendition of Mozart's Piano Concerto No 23 teased and coaxed the notes from the piano strings as if they were butterflies searching for nectar. I sat transfixed throughout.
Also, to Mr Auld and the Manama Singer's credit, is the fact that they are able to attract soloists from Europe and beyond of such high calibre to perform alongside them.
The solo quartet , with Emma Smith's (Soprano) crystal clear notes hanging in the air like diamonds, whilst Kathryn Hannah (Alto), Robert Millner (Tenor) and Stefan Paul Sanchez- Baritone counter balanced, created a rich, beautiful sung mosaic underpinned by the singing of the Chorus.
As always the Manama Singers created a vibrant quilt made from musical notes for the audience to wrap around themselves. Their collective joy at singing these master works creates an invisible thread that binds them to their audience.
John Perkins (leader), held the Sinfonia superbly together; leading the string section in a gently and memorably, played performance .
Each and every musician work was first class and a delight to witness.
I would like to give special kudos to Paul Bagshaw (flute) and James Meldrum, Alison Turrif (bassett horn/clarinet) whose musical notes floated and danced around the hall.
For those of you who missed a great performance, be sure to mark with a huge star the date for the next Manama Singers/Bahrain Sinfonia concert on Friday, June 11.
They will be performing David Fanshawe's African Sanctus. An event not to be missed. It is going to be a magic carpet ride of an evening. That is guaranteed!
- Review by Christine Hasan
