Music at the Pearly Gates
English classical crossover vocal group, Libera, performed in Manila recently which coincided with the commemoration of Philippine-United Kingdom Friendship Day.
Former Philippine ambassador to the UK, Robert de Ocampo, opened the show with a short introduction, wherein he emphasized the good relations between the two states. And that the difference of a Libera performance to any other show, was that theirs is designed “not to make you dance, but to uplift your soul.”
Sure enough, Libera did that. Walking onto the stage for the first time in their all-white hoods (they called it so), the boys – comprised mostly by members of the parish choir of St. Phillip’s, Norbury in South London – opened the show with the quite familiar strains of “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Yule tunes in February! But given the nature of the genre, it was all good. The “Libera: The Philippine Friendship Tour” show is a classical music event what with all the choral music.
Indeed there was a “musicale” vibe throughout. Music by Bach, Christmas tunes and the odd classical pop crossover hits like “The Prayer” made up Libera’s set. Snatches of titles like “In The Bleak Midwinter,” “Ave Maria,” and a traditional Irish song were sung in angelic voices.
Libera’s members are aged between nine years to their mid-teens. Their banter was spare and reflected their age. Confined mainly with the boys introducing themselves as they do their spiels, which mostly consisted of telling the audience where they are from, how many times they’ve been to the country, what their next song is, and yes, greeting their audiences in Tagalog.
The backing musicians were flown in from UK; an eight-piece ensemble consisting of strings, wind, piano, and percussions. Though small compared to a whole orchestra, it was enough to fill the spaces and gaps that those voices were not filling.
The set was simple. Just the plain black backdrop with lighting to contrast with the white hoods the boys of Libera wore. The show producers could have spruced up their set design wee bit but, well, once the voice fill the air then choir becomes focal point anyway.
At one point, you close your eyes and let the music and the harmonies wash over you. Spell serene – as if it’s what you’d hear later at the pearly gates.
Then and now and till Kingdom Come, the boys of Libera sing like angels.