Raising the Rafters: Requiem to Rigoletto - Review by Sue Moore

Cherubini Requiem & Opera Choruses Wymondham Choral Society

Saturday 5th April 2025, 7.30pm St Mary’s Church, Attleborough

The ancient frescoes of St. Mary’s church in Attleborough were a lovely backdrop for

the Wymondham Choral Society spring concert this evening. Wymondham Choral

Society is an amateur choir, established in 1980, and made up of approximately forty

to fifty singers who perform three concerts annually.

The programme began with Cherubini’s Requiem, a piece that was new to me, which

opened with an exquisite pianissimo from the choir, under the expert musical

direction of Justin Bindley and sensitive piano accompaniment of Rob Goodrich.

What a treat to hear such a wide range of dynamics and vocal colours which made

the opening movement very still and moving. An exquisite piece which showcased

the choir’s attractive and balanced ensemble sound, the dramatic Dies Irae was also

another highlight within this serene and contemplative first half. This Requiem is a

challenging piece in terms of stamina (it is a big sing for the choir with no soloists),

but it was thrilling as an audience member to see and hear a choir who were so

focused on the piece and its performance, always wanting to give their best. The

choir fortissimo never extended beyond their vocal capabilities, a Rover cruising at

sixty rather than a Daihatsu Hijet van flooring it to get to seventy - a quality that many

choral societies should be advised to emulate.

All good programmes should have something new, something surprising and some

tunes that everyone knows. For the second half two soloists, Soprano Laura Morgan

and Tenor David Menezes, were enlisted for a programme of opera favourites. Laura

joined the chorus for the Cavalleria Rusticana Easter Hymn, as well as performing

Carmen’s Habanera and Violetta’s Addio, del passato, spinning a beautiful solo line

across the ensemble singing. David Menezes sang well with solid technique and

musicality which was was especially showcased in the ‘Scottish Opera’ Macduff aria,

A, la paterna mano as well as the Duke’s toe tapping opening aria, Questa o quella

from Verdi’s Rigoletto.

A very enjoyable evening in a beautiful setting. The audience were enthusiastic in

their applause, a fitting ‘thank you’ for the skills and hard work involved in making an

event like this happen. Choral Societies only thrive when supported by the

community so don’t miss their summer concert at Wymondham Abbey, 19th July

2025 where they will be performing Paul Carr’s Stabat Mater, Matthew Coleridge’s

Requiem, and Ola Gjello’s The Ground.

Carolean Chorus , Music from the Stage, Minster, August 5th 2023

Just returned from your opening concert. What an awesome start! Fabulous music, amazing conductor, pianist, chorus and soloists. Excellent choice of music Justin. In such a short time you produced a wonderful afternoon. We forgot the miserable day outside and enjoyed the music. And the afternoon tea was delicious too. We never expected so much well produced and well presented food.

Harleston Choral Society - Diss Express, December 2022

Although it probably never happened, the Nativity story has inspired carols from Gregorian chant to the present day. Religious, classical and popular music come together in carols and provide chances both to shine and demolish barriers. At this concert we must have heard most of them, from the Medieval Adam Lay Ybounden to the 2007 work of Ronald Corp. His Christmas Mass incorporates some 70 carols in a glittering patchwork. The choir duly took their chances and, under Justin Bindley’s direction, created seasonal sparkle. The concert, in St. John’s Church, was a laden festive table of music, readings and audience participation in the singing. The choir gave a gentle power to O Magnum Mysterium, a setting of a Gregorian chant by American composer Morten Lauridsen. There was a sweetly charming rendition of Stille Nacht; and a memorable quartet version of In Dulce Jubilo. It was an emotive coup to end with the Ukrainian Carol of the Bells, dedicated to the people of that war-torn land.

This was a concert to lift the spirits, helping to forget for a while the freezing conditions outside and the troubles of the world.