Darlington & Stockton Times
This review appeared in the Darlington and Stockton Times on
29 March 2013.   It is reproduced here with permission.
Copyright ©  Newsquest (North East) Ltd, 2013

North Yorkshire Chorus
All Saints' Church, Northallerton

The Chorus chose two popular works for the Easter concert, both pertinent to the church calender, Stainer's Crucifixion and Parts II and III of Handel's Messiah.

Choir and the two soloists performed from the chancel before a small, but appreciative audience.

Tenor Stephen Newlove and bass Dominic Barberi both sang particuarly well and very clearly from the outset, and organist Andrew Christer provided firm backing and a few brilliant solos.

The Crucifixion section was particularly successful in the unaccompanied chorus, God so loved the world, with a delicate softness, and The Appeal of the Crucified was sung with considerable expression and feeling.

Newlove and Barberi were impressive throughout, with well-sung solos and a nicely balanced duet.

The chorus had rather more to do in Messiah but coped admirably, being strong on He is the King, suitably resplendent in Hallelujah and expressive in Since by man..

Newlove was good and clear on But Thou didst not leave, with light organ accompaniment, and Barberi full and rich on the The trumpet shall sound, with a most effective trumpet stop accompaniment by Christer.  As usual, this was all bound together admirably by conductor and musical director Greg Smith.

The choir's next concert is Music to Celebrate the Coronation Jubilee, in St Mary's Church, Richmond, on May 18; tickets from Greensleeves, Northallerton, 01609-780253, or go to northyorkshirechorus.org.

Peter Bevan

Close window