The Gala Concert A Night to Remember took place at St Mary’s Church, Denbigh on November 25, 2017. A packed and enthusiastic audience enjoyed what can only be described as a veritable feast of music.
The Denbigh and District Male Voice Choir and reputable soloists, Sioned Terry and John Ieuan Jones served up a heady mixture of musical genres.
Not to mention that all musical items were supported by virtuoso piano performances from choir accompanist Nia Jones.
The choir set the tone with the familiar ‘Y Ddau Wladgarwr.’ Followed by ‘Hine E Hine’ and ‘Coedmor.’
Compere Clwyd Wynne then introduced the experienced and popular mezzo soprano Sioned Terry.
Sioned Terry appears at Gala Concert
She opened with Pan Ddaw’r Nos and then her outstanding rendition of ‘Habanera’ from Carmen helped the audience think of warmer Spanish climes.
John Ieuan Jones appears at Gala Concert
The mercurial baritone John Ieuan Jones started his programme with Non piu Andrai from the Marriage of Figaro. Then a firm Welsh favourite, ‘Gwynfyd’ by Meirion Williams followed by ‘Stars’ from Les Miserables.
John Ieuan and Sioned then sang a delightful duet from Don Giovanni. A musical chemistry much in evidence between them.
The choir closed the first half with ‘Fy Mhlentyn’ and ‘The African Prayer’ to prolonged audience applause.
Choir at Gala Concert A Night to Remember
Gala Concert A Night to Remember Second Half
The Gala Concert second half continued with the same format. Three songs from the choir, including ‘You Raise Me Up,’ with baritone Peter Davies in fine voice.
John Ieuan also returned to sing ‘Some Enchanted Evening,’ and ‘Cân yr Arad Goch.’
He then became Tevye, singing ‘If I Were a Rich Man’ from Fiddler on the Roof. The justified applause nearly raised the roof. A very special performance.
Sioned Terry then returned to sing popular songs from the musicals with ‘How do You Solve a Problem like Maria?’ from The Sound of Music and ‘I have Dreamed’ from The King and I.
She then invited John Ieuan Jones to join her to sing the popular duet ‘All I ask of You’ from Phantom of the Opera. The audience loved it and showed their appreciation.
The choir’s final number of the evening was ‘American Trilogy’ which produced prolonged applause and affirmation.
A Celebratory Evening
It had been a celebratory evening. Additionally, an appreciation of the quality of two superb soloists. who had made the concert a night to remember.
Presentations at Gala Concert A Night to Remember
Sioned Terry and John Ieuan Jones
Presentations were then made to the soloists, to musical director Arwyn Roberts and to Nia Jones for their flawless performances throughout the evening.
In conclusion, thanks to all our faithful supporters for making the evening such a success.
More photographs and video clips will appear in due course.
Noson ardderchog. Mwynhau yn fawr iawn ond am yr oerni!!! Er hynny roedd y canu gan y côr a’r ddau unawdydd yn cynhesu’r noson. Gwaith gwych ar y piano gan Nia fel arfer. Braint oedd cael bod yn bresennol
Diolch am dy eiriau caredig a hefyd am dy gymorth parhaol.
Rev Pauline Walker writes on the Choir Facebook Page:
“Very special concert at St Mary’s last night put on by Denbigh MVC. They always deliver a high quality enjoyable performance but last night was superb with their soloists. And the accompanist was amazing! A rare treat.
Thanks to all.
Thank you Pauline for your kind words of appreciation. It means such a lot to us to receive feedback and to know that the concert was well received.
Amazing as always, moved to tears
I hope they were tears of happiness Jackie. Thank you for your comment.