Tewkesbury Abbey – 6th December 2025
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
The chance to review Handel’s Fireworks music and some choral Haydn doesn’t come around too often – and when it coincides with the chance to visit a fabulous local Abbey it is just too fine an opportunity to miss!
The opening piece in tonight’s programme was Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum in D, familiar from its opening bars as the theme music for the European Broadcasting Union. A gorgeous piece of choral writing; the entire work was sublime but really shone (for me) in the climax; from the duet between Soprano and Bass soloists (Dignare Domine), into the Trio for sopranos and bass and then the final full chorus. Truly uplifting.
Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks followed. Without singers, it provided a nice contrast to the monumental choral works which bookended it, the Regency Sinfonia did a magnificent job of bringing out all the splendour and public spectacle of the original regal commission.
Abbeys are not custom made for music reproduction where technical difficulties abound – namely taming reverb. The cavernous expanse of stonework in every direction and a lack of soft furnishings almost inevitably results in a far away and/or swampy sound. That tonight’s Choral Society were so clearly heard in all their glory is a testament to all involved. They may, officially, be an amateur group but they are every bit as polished and professional as their more well known counterparts. I was most impressed by their full, clearly detailed parts, giving the choir a pleasantly hefty presence when needed – but one which could be sweet and tender too when required.
After the interval we were gifted another fine work – Haydn’s Harmoniemesse. Moving from the earlier Baroque into the Classical eras, this work had less tripping, filigree passages but was no less interesting – Haydn being a master of gorgeous form and exquisite style. I felt that this piece worked even better than the earlier pieces in the Abbey – making it even easier to hear the fabulous singing from the chorus, who again sounded superb throughout.
The soloists tonight were a real revelation – especially against the full chorus and orchestra backdrop. Soprano Sheilagh Armitt, Anna Cooper (Mezzo-Soprano) and Edward Lee (Tenor) gave rousing performances throughout, fully justifying their roles out front. Of special mention though was the combination of Brittany King (Soprano) and Piran Legg (Bass) which was spellbinding! Ms King’s tone was something to fall in love with – being both mellifluous and soaring, tender yet emotionally assured – in short her tone was breathtakingly beautiful. The bass soloist Piran Legg’s sonorous tone also impressed me enormously. Put simply – I could listen to both all night every night!
John Holloway conducted with an assured touch, producing readings of these works which I’m sure the composers would have been proud of. The range of dynamics that he got out of orchestra and singers made the ending flourishes to the works dramatic and impactful. Adding to the drama was, unsurprisingly, Tewkesbury Abbey: a stunning place to worship at the altar of music and (of course) to visit to worship our Lord. This was my first visit but it assuredly won’t be my last.
It won’t, also and hopefully, be my last time seeing Tewkesbury Choral Society – who properly wowed me tonight. A fabulous night’s musical entertainment given in uplifting fashion – Bravo to all concerned!