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Once again the wonderful Manama Singers heralded the start of the festive season in Bahrain with two outstanding concerts; one afternoon performance, especially for children, and an evening concert.
If you are new to Bahrain, or have been here a while but not yet attended this annual event, I can thoroughly recommend that it becomes a permanent fixture in your diary each year.
Whilst, of course, conductors and pianists change from time-to-time, the overall well-tried and tested programme of events for the Christmas concert remains the same each year with wonderful singing of both traditional and lesser-known numbers, together with audience participation.
This year was no different, children and families packed the concert hall at the Mövenpick and after starting with some short choral pieces, the singers moved onto traditional carols, which the audience sang along to, and then a range of favourite children’s Christmas songs.
At this point the children were invited to sit at the front which they did with great glee only to become even more excited when Santa made his entrance throwing sweets into the air.
The evening concert was just as enjoyable, with the Manama Singers, under the competent baton of conductor, Leah Churchill, singing clearly and confidently in English, Spanish, Latin, German and even Yoruba!
Chairman Sadaf Karim opened the event with a very touching welcome speech, explaining the philosophy behind the Christmas Around the World theme and she dedicated the concert to those whose lives have been lost or affected by the recent tragic events in the world.
‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill to all Men’ … and the evening concert began.
Special praise must be given to the excellent soloists, namely Anna Thompson-Hall who sang the beautiful Laudate Dominum by Mozart and Aurelie Sotto who gave a splendid rendition of Balulalow from Ceremony of Carols.
Leonardo Jacalan did a wonderful job accompanying the singers on the djembe whilst they performed the entertaining and lively Nigerian carol with soloists Elizabeth George and Julie du Plessis (this is where the Yoruba came into its own). The other soloists of the evening were Lunghei Riede, Charles Price, Ruben Rivera and Stuart Wolfe.
As in previous years, the audience was invited to join in with the choir as the traditional carols were performed and we all sang along. However, if Santa was the star of the afternoon concert, the pianist, Gavin Stewart, had to be the highlight of the evening event.
His two solo piano pieces – Carol of the Bells and O Come All Ye Faithful – had the audience spellbound.
What an extremely talented young man, what a wonderful concert. Don’t miss it next year … and if you would like to join the Manama Singers (no audition required) they would love to hear from you!
–Linda Jennings
