It’s the 3 th July 1926. I’m in the newsroom of the St Michael’s Daily Sword, and it’s so quiet. Nothing is happening in the UK today, so we’re left with Dog shows and church repairs to report. I suppose its only a couple of months since our victory in the General Strike – “ not an hour more, not a penny less” – pshaw!
But then, it all changed. “I need a reporter for the St Michael’s Singers Victorian Prom, Mrs Thomas, the secretary of their PR chief has asked for a review” says Mrs Andrew Cook, the PA to our editor-in-chief.
I seized my chance and bundled my way to the front of the queue; I knew that they had a good reputation for their fizz as well as the music. So, Julie gave me the keys to her bicycle, and avoiding Mr Antony Penn at the Church junction I arrived just in time.
The church was nearly full, with audience and choir and tables and stages. I found my place in the corner and prepared for a good evening. Mr Eric Hudson was running the bar.
The Musical Directors were Mrs Nigel Cable and Mr Stephen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Mr x started on the organ, as the choir started with must surely become an international anthem, maybe for our Empire, when we extend it to include the Europeans. The choir sang new words to Beethoven’s 9 th symphony.
Soon we went to Zadok the Priest. It was most impressive especially the care taken at the start of the piece, when the choir reproduced what happened at the very first performance and started a little raggedly. This was so respectful of those that had gone before.
Mrs Geoffrey Mutton then read what I think should be termed a piece of Speculative Fiction, in which she told us that Women wanted the vote. It’s bad enough that we had to give women of an upper class the vote, without extending that to all the commoners.
The female singers in the choir then sang a very attractive song again demanding the vote, but thankfully the tune outlasted the sentiment. Women voters indeed, they’ll be suggesting women vicars next!
Before the interval the male singers performed "When a felon's not engaged in his employment" from Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance. As a 30 year old tune, it has lasted well, and the men wore their police helmets very well.
During the interval , there were glasses of something called Prosecco, which I understand is a cheap fizzy drink from The Italian Republic.
After the interval, we had a very attractive piece, the Flower Song from Delibes. This was sung by two of the many capable sopranos in the choir, Mrs Nigel Cable, and Mrs John Merrell. It so happens that my uncle is the Chairman of Imperial Airlines. I know that they are looking for a song for their stewardesses to sing as the passengers are boarding, to calm passengers. I will certainly bring this song to his attention.
Mr Geoffrey Mutton and Mr Martin Horsey else then sang “the Lost Chord” by Sir Arthur Sullivan, they didn’t lose any chords in their performance and it was a good choice given the composer’s connection to St Michaels.
We had a performance of the aria “Nessun Dorma “ from Turandot, preceded by a short lecture on its origin. I’m sure this piece of music has a role to play in accompanying a sports event, maybe the Worcestershire cricket festival. I also understand that there was an impromptu rather rowdy unaccompanied performance of this aria at the choir’s celebrations a few days later.
Also in the programme was a performance of the Halleluiah Chorus, from Handel. It was interesting that tonight’s audience followed the modern trend of not standing for the performance of this piece of sacred music. Standards slip, even in St Michaels. Unfortunately I had to leave before the Finale. I had Mrs Cook’s bike, but not her lamp, and the sky was darkening.
I missed a singalong of three quite modern patriotic songs, celebrating the way we whopped the foreign johnnies, and reminded the Emperor’s subjects, particularly those in the colonies, how grateful they should be for everything we provide them.
All in all a successful evening, and I can imagine this concert taking place again in the future.!
Peter Cole
Cub Reporter - St Michaels Daily Sword
On the 3rd July the St Michael Singers performed a Victorian Night at the Proms at St Michaels Church. An event to celebrate the classical music we have inherited from the great composters of the past. Names like Beethoven, Faure, Handel and British greats Sir Edward Elgar, Thomas Arne, and Parry.
The concert commenced with Joyful Joyful by Beethoven a rousing piece which the audience joined in with.
A very delicate accompanying by Kath Annisworth followed of the beautiful Faure’s Cantique De Jean Racine the choir blending so well for this piece.
Stephen Price then took over the baton from Jacqui to direct the marvellous Zadok the Priest. Everyone’s favourite.
Pat Mutton then read an extract from Emily Pankhurst then followed a rousing ladies’ chorus of Votes for Women wearing their sashes, quite a force to be reckoned with. Well done ladies it would have taken a brave man to say NO to women!!
Then this of course brought out the constabulary to end the first half with their truncheons and helmets to sing Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Policeman’s song from Pirates of Penzance. What a jolly lot of coppers they were until they realized they were sent off to die but a great performance by all that put the smiles on the audience’s faces.
An interval followed with a glass of fizz and a chat and the second half started with the beautiful Lachrymose by Mozart, well done choir quite a moving piece sung so well.Next the Anvil Chorus from Trovatore a tricky piece for dear Kath as well as the choir but overall you did manage to pull it off.
Then we sat and engaged with a stunning performance of the Lakme Flower Duet sung by Jacqui Cable and Margaret Morrell, their voices blended so well together, thank you. Martin Horsey and Geoff Mutton then sang the Lost Chord, so lovely, Sir Arthur would have been very proud of you both.
We then had an insight into Nessun Dorma by Mike Evans and Graham Plender explaining the story of ‘none shall sleep’, not many in the audience did!!! It was great, well done choir.
Just before the finale the choir sang a rousing rendition of Handel’s Messiah. I have to say this was quite something; well done, all in time and sounding glorious, this was the choir at its best.
A last night of the proms selection followed with the audience joining in with lots of flag waving singing Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance.
A huge thanks to Jacqui Cable, Stephen Price and wonderful accompanist Kath Answorth. And for all the work the choir had put in over many weeks and hours of planning a super evening to be had by all Thank you again
…. I look forward to Christmas.
Richard Bell