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The Bute Arts Society's Season of monthly concerts continues on 14th April 2023 at 7.30 pm with a concert by the Cheryl Forbes and Gordon Cree. Tickets are £12.50 from WeGotTickets.com event 547163
Just before Christmas the Ballianlay Choir held their well attended Annual Christmas Concert. A review (from a member of the audience) follows:
The Ballianlay Choir Christmas Concert
The night was cold with a gentle breeze off the sea making
it seem even colder as the audience began to congregate at the gates of Trinity
Church for the Ballianlay Choir Christmas Concert on Wednesday 14th
December 2022. Cold breath and stamping feet outside Once inside the buzz and
hum of friends meeting friends continued until the choir led by their organiser
and Director of the programme Fiona Shaw, took to the stage.
Fiona had organised an excellent programme of Christmas song which started with the choir singing ‘How Quietly’ followed by ‘This Child of Light’. The audience were also not forgotten being asked to participate in such classic Christmas Carols as ‘The First Noel, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, and The Holly and the Ivy’ at different points throughout the evening of song. Solo performances by Janet Huggart, who sang ‘Somewhere in Your Silent Night’, Malcolm Alexander who sang ‘Caro Gesu Bambino, and Fiona herself who sang the ‘Most Wonderful Birthday of All’, were sung beautifully and greatly appreciated by the large mixed family audience. Jane Fisher on flute accompanied by Olga Morgan on piano played a a very jolly rendition of Tambourin by Gossec to everyone’s delight, Tony Prosser added a touch of mirth and hilarity with whimsical renditions of ‘The Violin Farm’ by Sir Richard Stilgoe and a Politically Correct Christmas written anonymously.
Christmas classics such as ‘Walking in the Air’ and ‘Somewhere in my Memory’ sung to the ‘Home Alone’ theme added to the Christmas feeling that swirled around a somewhat cold church. The evening of song and light concluded with everybody singing of ‘Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ before the audience and choir melted away quietly into the cold of a dark night. A night to be cherished and remembered.
A big thank you must go Trinity Church for providing the venue for this Christmas Concert, to Fiona for organising the concert pieces, the accompanist Olga Morgan, and the Choir, and then of course to the Ballianlay Choir member themselves who gave us all a night of joy to lighten the heart before the rush that was Christmas.
George M
Here is another critique, ~ of the February Concert:
Opera Bohemia Gala 03 February 2023.
On Friday 3 February Opera Bohemia returned to Bute to perform a special gala performance. They first performed in Bute in August 2022 in a sell-out performance with Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and returned by popular demand, and they did not disappoint.
Catriona Clarke, Heather Ireson, Seumas Begg were led by Douglas Nairne one of the original founders of Opera Bohemia and they were all accompanied by Colm O Brian on violin and Andrew Brown on piano. The evening started with classical pieces from La Traviata, Carmen, The Pearl Fishers, madam Butterfly, Don Giovanni, and La Boheme all washed down in the second half with pieces from The Merry Widow, Gondoliers, and pieces from more recent musicals including Show Boat, South Pacific, and Severn Brides for Seven Brothers.
Another well thought out programme which ensured a fantastic evening of song with something for everybody.
Just to remind all those interested that Opera Bohemia will be returning on 29th July 2023, for a fully staged production with orchestra of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly.
A Big thank you to all concerned.
The Bible Study Group is held at The Manse every Thursday afternoon at 2pm. All are welcome, and all materials will be provided (including tea/coffee and biscuits).