Reviews

Concert Reviews

Christmas Oratorio - Dec 2013

"I thought that the Choir sang stupendously. I feel that Southern UK Choirs these days are too frightened to sing out and show their emotional feelings. Your performance was thrilling and emotional full of passion 100 plus awarded from me. I had goose pimples down my spine!

Congratulations to all.

Season's greeting.

Huw Rhys Evans"

Chorus wows Dame Emma

World famous soprano Dame Emma Kirkby brought star presence to a sell-out performance of Handel's Solomon at Eton School Hall last week.

She was backed by the Windsor and Eton Choral Society, which hosted the event, and Dame Emma was joined by counter tenor Christopher Ainslie singing the role of Solomon. The work was composed in 1748.

Dame Emma Kirkby commented after the performance that she was "very impressed with her fellow soloists" and found them "fantastic to work with". She also said the choir did a "terrific job on the monster choruses".

Ralph Allwood conducted the choir, soloists and Southern Sinfonia.

The evening was a special one for David Wiltshire from Windsor and Eton Choral Society who, after 24 years, has marshalled 212 soloists through 60 concerts. He was presented with a thank-you present by chairman James Clark and Dame Emme.

The evening was sponsored by the Prince Philip Trust.

Slough Observer, December 2009

*Windsor and Eton Choral Society thrill with Mendelssohn’s Elijah*

The Windsor and Eton choral Society and accomplished soloists thrilled a ‘sold out’ Eton School Hall on Tuesday evening with a ‘bravura’ performance of Elijah.

Led by conductor Ralph Allwood the 150 strong choir and Eton Festival Orchestra delivered an uplifting and dramatic performance of Mendelssohn's work.

Elijah was sung by baritone Mark Stone, a rising star on the operatic stage. The audience rated his performance as ‘brilliant’ and ‘uplifting’.

Other soloists, Tara Overend (soprano), Patricia Hammond (mezzo-soprano), James Edwards (tenor), and Eton College music scholar Leo Popplewell (treble) equally ‘wowed’ the audience.

The event also helped to raise money for the Alexander Devine Children's Cancer Trust, who are dedicated to building a children's hospice in Berkshire.

A wonderful and uplifting evening was enjoyed enthusiastically by a hugely appreciative audience and all participants.

Slough Observer, December 2008