(Taking
a break during interval are Jacques Heyns (harpsichord), Annel Niebuhr (cello
continuo), Sondra-Marié Sitz (alto), Botes Gresse (conductor), Andrew Butler
(bass), Sibonelo Mbanjwa (tenor), Emma Farquharson (soprano) and Malcolm
McKinley (trumpet). Christopher Cockburn (not in the picture) played the organ.)
Audience
members praised the 2019 “Messiah” presented by PAMS. (Review by Christi Naudé)
The 2019 Messiah performance presented by the Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music
Society (PAMS) last week was “highly inspirational” and “uplifting” according
to audience members, who packed the beautiful historic St Mary’s Catholic
Church to the brim. They showed their appreciation by a standing ovation.
Music lovers were full of praise for
"top class" conductor Botes Gresse, the choir, musicians and a great
line up of soloists. “The show was fabulous. Amazing to realise we have such
talent so close to home,” an appreciative concert goer remarked.
To a director of music at a major KZN
girls' high school, who has attended the last five PAMS Messiah performances, "… it was by far the best in the last
five years. The soloists were magnificent - particularly the clear diction of
the alto, Sondra-Marie Sitz: every word was crystal clear. The choir was
wonderful, and a h highlight for me was 'Since by man came death'. If only I
could have heard it again."
Another was touched by Worthy is the Lamb. "The venue of St Mary’s was an inspired
choice. What a setting! The second half was so beautiful a sound I started
crying and only stopped at the end," she wrote in a letter to PAMS.
Tenor Sibonelo Mbanjwa was a clear
favourite to Bridget Watson. "He sings from the heart, understands the
text so well while his diction is perfect even from where we sat right at the
back of the cathedral."
Bass stalwart Andrew Butler "deserves
a medal for his performance," another concert goer said, while someone
could not say enough about soprano Emma Farquharson's "angelic sweet
voice." Malcolm McKinley’s suitably rousing trumpet and solid support from
Christopher Cockburn at the newly installed organ was also recognised. - Christi
Naudé
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