On Saturday 18th April, the Choral Group gave a lovely concert, raising CHF 2,735 and €90 for Parkinson Switzerland. A medley of well-known - and less well-known, at least to this audience member - choruses from opera and oratorio was delivered with gusto and joy, to the audience's great pleasure. The programme notes gave short biographies of the composers while, in his eloquent introductions to each number, David Pittuck gave additional context around the chorus and the work in general.
May Hofman conducted and the inimitable Joan Cambitsis accompanied on the piano, with their usual brio, and the singers' pleasure and engagement with them and the music was evident. Apparently this was to be Joan's last event with the Choral Group: she is owed an enormous debt of gratitude for her many decades' commitment to the Group, without which, one may surmise, numerous concerts would never have taken place.
A highlight was the Hallelujah chorus from Messiah. As we were given the option, most of us remained seated. One may suppose that we would all have stood, as is traditional, following King George II's example, if the whole oratorio was being sung, but even so, a few forewarned and forearmed stalwarts not only rose to their feet but also joined in, bravely singing along with the performers from their own scores in a mini scratch choir.
The Holy Trinity Church in Geneva was packed, with standing room only, and the atmosphere warm. No doubt the same applied (squared) in the cellar at the apéro afterwards, but this writer felt unable to brave the happy throng and can only conjecture the delightful sequel to a successful evening.
