Praise for the Dream of Gerontius

A selection of some of the lovely things people said about our Autumn performance of Elgar's Dream of Gerontius

It was beautiful! What an awesome experience.

- Alastair Hartley, audience
 

I thoroughly enjoyed singing with you all again. The choir were absolutely magnificent. Thanks for having me. 

- Sue Marrs, Soloist (The Angel).

It was absolutely beautiful!! Well done to everyone involved!!

- Maddie Murphy, audience
 

That was so beautiful, I enjoyed it so much! I'm really happy I got to come, even though it was quite grown up music, I really enjoyed it!  

- Victoria, age 13, audience
 

'The demon chorus was so good I didn't want it to stop!'

- Hector, age 8, audience

'What a wonderful experience yesterday. It was a momentous evening and a privilege to have been able to sing in it…. My friends in the audience have written to say how much they enjoyed this wonderful concert especially during this rather poignant time for Monmouth. It was very uplifting to hear such stunning music in the town.'

- Glynis Borthwick, chorister and sponsor for Andrew Henley, Tenor

'What an amazing day we all had yesterday!  Congratulations to Monmouth Choral Society on such a wonderful achievement and very many thanks to you (and all of MCS) for the wonderful welcome I received on coming back into the fold! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and was delighted to have the opportunity to sing this wonderfully complex, extraordinary work again after a 25 year gap.'

-  Helen Keef, chorister

'Huge congratulations to Steven on yesterday's performance. The amount of detail you managed to wriggle out of us choristers (and out of the orchestra as well) in the limited rehearsal time was impressive, and really rewarding from a performer's perspective. Thank you so much for an excellent opportunity. Thank you so much for inviting Chepstow CS to take part in this project. The Chepstow choristers have been buzzing about this work for weeks, and have immensely enjoyed being involved. They've (we've) been quite overwhelmed by the generosity, hospitality and musical camaraderie (and cakes!) afforded by Monmouth CS. It feels like we've been united with a bunch of long-lost siblings. Please do say a heart-felt thank you to them on my behalf.'

- Graham Bull, Director of Chepstow Choral Society.
 

'Since I joined, 11 years ago,  as a very ordinary person...not a university graduate, not a choral singer, unable to read music.....the society has evolved into to a welcoming, friendly and encouraging group of like minded friends.  I feel so lucky to have the access to wonderful music, first class tuition from Steve and the thrill of participating in amazing concerts like Saturday night's.' 

-  Jenny, Member of MCS.

 

I just wanted to send a quick message of congratulations for the fantastic evening yesterday - it was thrilling being part of such wonderful music-making with MCS and the excellent semi-chorus, orchestra and soloists.  I know how hard you and your Committee worked to make the concert a success; a big work like DoG is not easy to pull off but you did it!  For our part, we could not have been made more welcome and have definitely made many new musical friends.  So, on behalf of CCS, thank you for taking us on this journey with you and offering us the chance to be part of a wonderful experience.

- Helen Morris, Chair of Chepstow Choral Society.


 

'Magnificent show on Saturday, it will go down in history, quite a feat to have a full choir and orchestra performing in our school theatre.'

- Jane, Box Office at The Blake Theatre.
 

'A special thank you, both personally and on behalf of the Friends of MCS, many of whom - with a good number of former choir members - were in the audience on Saturday. We were mightily impressed by the magnificent performance of this great work and full of admiration for the way the choir, soloists and orchestra came together under wizard Steve's magic baton. I think I can speak for us all when I say how proud we felt of you all!  Thank you for an inspiring, moving and truly memorable evening. Congratulations and all good wishes. PS Loved the glossy programme and your interviews which gave a nice personal touch.'

- Jean Hancock, Friends' co-ordinator

 

'I'm always a bit nervous about 'amateur' choirs taking on tricky works like this - but under Steven's expert direction, I needn't have worried...the choirs were obviously well-drilled...  They executed the really tricky choruses with great style, and the balance (from where we were sitting) was excellent.

- Lord Lieutenant Robert Aitken, Patron of MCS
 

It was an absolutely brilliant concert - the choir and orchestra were amazing, and it was one of the most special nights of my career so far without a doubt. I hope your Christmas concert is a great success and I hope to sing with you again very soon!

- Andrew Henley, Tenor soloist (Gerontius)