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2010 SEASON
GUINNESS CHOIR GOES BACH-TO-BACH WITH BACH
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Final Rehearsal in full flight!
The Guinness Choir took the unusual step of presenting Bach's Christmas Oratorio on two consecutive nights 11th/12th December 2010. Firstly in the Wexford Opera House reprising their visit of the same time last year and then secondly in the Concert Hall of the RDS on the Sunday night.
Although it was a small audience in Wexford, the Choir sang almost to a full house in Dublin. With many such events cancelled ue to the recent difficulty weather conditions, the Guinness Choir was pleased to persevere and present its concerts.
The abridged version was directed by David Milne, with soloists Roísín O'Grady, Nicola Harding, Maria de Moel, Niall Chorell and James Harrison. James makes a welcome return after bravely stepping in at the last minute for the Messiah in Wexford last year.
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MAY 2010
GUINNESS CHOIR HITS THE HEIGHTS OF HOLST & HOWELLS
(Photographs taken at final rehearsal)
Sunday evening 16th May in Mount Argus Church Harold’s Cross will be remembered by all present for a long time to come. Those in the audience were treated to works of “Hymn of Jesus” by Gustav Holst and Herbert Howells’ “Hymnus Paradisi”.
The Choir will remember the event as a culmination of months of hard work. Allied with the Chamber Choir of Kilkenny College and the expansive sound of the Ulster Orchestra, the "hymns" were successfully presented to an appreciative audience who filled the main body of the church.
Under the Choir's regular choir master and conductor, Mr David Milne, the concert began with the rendition of the "Hymn of Jesus" accompanied by the ethereal young voices of Kilkenny College soaring over the Guinness Choir which itself was divided into two separate choirs and which at some points was further broken down into as many as 12 parts.
After the break, the Choir resumed its normal four-part pattern as it launched into the “Hymnus Paradisi” which again was augmented by the Chamber Choir taking the role of the semi chorus. This work of five movements which begins and concludes with a quiet and sonorous “Requiem” calls for singers and orchestra to rise to full cry both in the climactic conclusion of the "Sanctus” and within the final movement. Here the audience was treated to the sound of singers and musicians filling the spacious church with magnificent sound.
Throughout the Howells the melodious tone of soprano Sylvia O'Brien, deputising at the last moment for the indisposed Julie Moffatt, was complemented by the sure-footed tenor accuracy of Martyn Hill and both added to the unique atmosphere of the evening.
The performance drew to its close having provided its audience with an evening of immeasurable drama through this enchanting music.
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Previously
GUINNESS CHOIR TAKE WEXFORD BY STORM
PERFORMING HANDEL'S "MESSIAH"
IN THE WEXFORD OPERA HOUSE
DECEMBER 2009
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Guinness Choir blossomed with
The Sunflower Charity Concert
on 28th May 2009
in aid of Our lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross in Mt Argus Church.
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THE 2009 SOLOMON SELL-OUT!!
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St Patrick's Cathedral was full to capacity last night, Saturday 18th April, to hear the Guinness Choir play its part in the Dublin Handel Festival with a rousing rendition of "Solomon".
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The Choir and orchestra, conducted by Mr David Milne, was in stirring form as it wowed the packed church with the huge choruses, raising the rafters of the ancient cathedral.
The narrative and aria work was taken by soloists:
Olive Simpson, Nicola Mahoney, Roisin O'Grady - sopranos
Alison Browner - alto
Christopher Bowen - tenor
John Milne - bass
A veritable tour de force by all concerned!
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2009 NEW SEASON STARTS IN STYLE
GUINNESS CHOIR CELEBRATED GUINNESS 250th ANNIVERSARY
IN THE STOREHOUSE
on Saturday 12th September 2009
The Guinness Choir entertained the guests arriving at the Storehouse with a selection of well known songs and melodies including Happy Birthday Uncle Arthur and the Guinness advertisement theme tune. Then it was the turn of the Guinness Company to entertain the Choir to meal and refreshment.
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GUINNESS CHOIR WOW IN WHITEHALL
with Bach Cantata 140; Suite No 3; Magnificat.
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Comments from THE IRISH TIMES Tuesday 25th November 2008 (edited)
Kilkenny College Chamber, Choir, Guinness Choir, Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin
Bach Cantata 140; Suite No 3; Magnificat.
The Guinness Choir succeeded again with a large audience at the big Church of the Holy Child........
The choir presented a popular all-Bach programme with returning partners the Ulster Orchestra under conductor David Milne.
It included the best quartet of soloists that the Guinness have so far assembled at this venue.......
Colette Boushell, who has appeared regularly with the choir since standing in for no less than Emma Kirkby, sings with a fresh, bright presence.
Philip O’Reilly was particularly warm and sincere in a recitative in which the allegorical groom takes his bride.
His success here was important since alongside him was tenor John Elwes, a master of Bach recitative, who was also a sensitive a partner in the Magnificat’s duet on Et misericordia.
For this he was joined by versatile Tanya Sewell singing with sweetness and freshness.
Milne has always had the measure of the big acoustic in Whitehall, here again managing all the balances between the refined Ulster Orchestra, the soloists and choir.
A sensitive continuo section was led by stylish harpsichordist Malcolm Proud, and there were very fine obbligato solos from violin, oboe and oboe d’amore.
The choir itself was in good voice, especially the sopranos with their long cantus firmus melody in the cantata. One of the peaks of the choir’s expressive responsiveness to Milne was in the cantata’s final chorale, which may have been partly due to singing from memory.
The girls from the Kilkenny College Chamber Choir added a sheen, notably to the soprano line, and sang the Magnificat’s trio with welcome naturalness.
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Previous Concerts:
Bach: Magnificat, Cantata 140 & Suite No. 3
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The National Concert Hall
Sunday 13th April 2008
INTIMATIONS OF IMMORTALITY by GERALD FINZI
SPRING SYMPHONY by BENJAMIN BRITTEN
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SPRING CONCERT
The Guinness Choir and Orchestra Directed by David Milne.
Martyn Hill Tenor, Charlotte Ellett Soprano, Emma Selway Alto,
The Boys of the Palestrina Choir
Gerald Finzi - Intimations of Immortality
Benjamin Britten - Spring Symphony
Sunday 13th April 2008
National Concert Hall
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Verdi - Requiem
The Ulster Orchestra
Conductor - Celso Antunes
Soprano - Majella Cullagh
Contralto - Graciela Araya
Tenor - Rodrigo Orrego
Bass - Andreas Horl
The Belfast Philharmonic Choir
(Chorusmaster - Christopher Bell)
The Guinness Choir, Dublin
(Chorusmaster - David Milne)
Date: 16 November 2007
Venue: Waterfront Hall, Belfast
Mahler 8th Symphony
RTE National Symphony Orchestra
Gerhard Markson
National Basketball Arena, Tallaght
26 May 2007
