Thanks to Fergus for this report back from the Camerata Choir’s recent performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Ed
Last Sunday, 28th April the Island’s Camerata Chamber Choir formed the Benedictus Choir with two other choirs for a Royal Albert Hall performance of Karl Jenkins’ Requiem followed by his globally successful The Armed Man.
Camerata is directed by Priory School music teacher Jurgita Leistrumaite, who said afterwards,
“It is a huge privilege to be invited to perform at one of the world’s most important music venues.” The two hour concert was the result of many months of preparation, and she added, “I want to thank everyone in the choir for all their hard work.”
Camerata was joined on that most distinguished of stages by Côr Caerdydd (Cardiff Choir), a proms and millennium stadium regular, Excelsis from Grayshott, Hampshire and the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. The Welsh composer and holder of 17 gold and platinum selling awards, conducted his two works.
An ‘immaculate performance’
Karl Jenkins visibly felt his music hit the right spot in what the organisers called an ‘immaculate performance’ as he winked at the choir after the final chord and smiled broadly throughout the applause.
Both chorus and Royal Philharmonic Concert orchestra had given him all he asked for; serving up all he needed to fine tune and recreate exactly the sound and emotion born of his genius.
Afterwards the thrilled audience of 4,000 got to their feet for a series of stage calls for the composer and the soloists. These included 13 year-old BBC chorister of the year Isaac Waddington of Portsmouth grammar school, soprano Anna Patalong and muezzin Jaasar Raji, whose haunting Muslim call to prayer formed the second movement of The Armed Man.
Youthful and charismatic hand percussionist Zands Duggan engagingly led Jenkins’ trademark rhythm, including a hip-hop beat in Dies Irae (Judgement Day), the second movement of Requiem.
Proud Islanders
The many Island people who travelled to London for the afternoon concert were delighted and rightly very proud to see an Isle of Wight music ensemble be part of a magnificent show at a top international venue.
Camerata will now be returning to prepare a programme of beautiful music for a summer concert at St Catherine’s church in Ventnor, at 7pm on Saturday 13th July.
Image: © Used with permission of Edward Radcliffe from www.wemakepictures.co.uk
