Shrewsbury Choral Society and Orchestra, Opera Viva - Review

Shrewsbury Choral Society and Orchestra, Opera Viva at the Walker Theatre

Opera Viva lived up to its claim to be an evening of musical exuberance. Shrewsbury Choral Society and Orchestra, ably conducted by Alistair Auld, presented a summer evening concert of some of the most glorious choral music in the operatic repertoire.

There was Italian swagger from Verdi and Donizetti, sultry Spanish moments from Frenchman Bizet and Russian gravitas from Borodin.

Verdi's Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore made a slightly tentative start to the programme, but the deservedly popular chorus of the Hebrew slaves from Nabucco was glorious.

Next we had Verdi's Scottish Refugee Chorus from Macbeth, giving brass and percussion players a virtuosic opportunity and double bass player John Hyslop was superb.

Soprano Kathryn Hannah and tenor James Heath gave lively performances from Carmen and La Traviata.

The Polovtsian Dances and some choruses from Borodin's Prince Igor provided a rousing finale. The choir relished the moment and a lovely touch was provided by the two soloists joining in with the chorus.