Little Ceremonial going around St. Andrew's Hall

The English Chamber Orchestra delighting us at
St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich

On Saturday 7th May 2011 I was fortunate enough to be present at the Festival Chorus with the English Chamber Orchestra concert at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. This was the opening Classical Music event at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2011.

The programme on the night consisted of Egmont Overture Op. 84 - Beethoven, Little Ceremonial - John Tavener, Col sorriso d'innocenza and final scene from II pirata - Bellini and Stabat mater - Rossini.

Conductor on the evening was David Parry. Also performing were Carmen Giannattasio - soprano, Ann-Marie Owens - mezzo-soprano, Colin Lee - tenor and Andrew Foster-Williams - bass-baritone. Terry Edwards is the Chorus Master of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Chorus.

The evening began with a lively performance of Beethoven's Egmont Overture Op. 84 that was very well received by the festival audience. We were then treated by the European premiere of John Tavener's Little Ceremonial which was made more special with the composer present on the evening. The idea of this piece is of a procession apparently going nowhere.

Carmen Giannattasio gave a magnificent performance on Bellini's Col sorriso d'innocenza. Her voice was amazing and I'm sure everyone at the concert were thrilled to hear her amazing vocals.  The Norfolk & Norwich Festival has truly arrived.

After the interval Rossini's Stabat mater gave us more delights from the Orchestra, Festival Chorus and Soloists that filled the hall. This was a very enjoyable evening that has set up two weeks of wonderful events to look forward too at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival 2011.