INSPIRATIONAL CREATION CONCERT RAISES THE ROOF
BACKED by a large orchestra, New Ross Singers performed one of their most challenging and dramatic works at The Church of the Assumption, Rosbercon recently, in front of a packed house.
Haydn’s Creation decpits the creation of the world in music. The performance was dedicated to the memory of Maeve Wilson, a great friend of the choir. The orchestra was put together by Musici Ireland, a collection of professional players run by Beth McNinch from Wexford. New Ross Singers Director Connie Tantrum said: ‘ The orchestra is very important, as it uses all the instruments fully to create the various effects. The flute warbles like the dove, the double basses thump around like elephants, the horns roar like lions, the strings fly around like hailstones or float like snow. It is full of clever touches, from the first days when light and night, sun and moon are being made, the sea and the earth are divided etc., to the creation of Adam and Eve.’
The music was shared between soloists who tell the story and the choir who sing praises for all of God’s work.
The choir was supplemented by part of a choir from Skibbereen and about 25 members of the Cork group stayed at Brandon House Hotel the night of the concert and several visited Loftus Hall, bringing welcome business into the area.
The orchestra included players from the RTE Concert Orchestra and Cassiopeia Wind Ensemble, the Irish Chamber Orchestra and many other chamber groups. The soloists, Deirdre Moynihan, Brendan Collins and Ryan Morgan were all professional singers.
‘With such an array of talent, the hard work put in by the local choir was amply rewarded, and the singers were delighted with the result. Judging by the crowd’s reaction they were delighted too! This is not the first big work that the choir have performed, having met the challenge of Handel’s Messiah, Gounod’s St Cecilia Mass, Faure’s Requiem, and Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man in recent years. They do, however, learn a lot of lighter music, and will meet tonight Tuesday, March 20, to start on a bit of Gershwin or Abba.’
New members are always welcome, and if you are interested, please phone 051 421766.