Memorable day

On an Easter mini-break from Dorset and celebrating my 93rd birthday on Good Friday, I was looking forward to the chance of a rare outing with my granddaughter and her family to attend a choral concert being performed by the Edwin James Festival Choir and Orchestra at St James’ Church in Littlehampton.

With seats towards the front of a full church, we eagerly awaited the start of the concert. It began with the orchestra playing the Prelude to Act III of La Traviata, followed by Im Abendrot – At Dusk – Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, with a beautiful solo performance by Soprano Lorna Moore.

A brief talk followed on the important work carried out by Kent, Sussex and Surrey Air Ambulance, for whom a retiring collection was held at the end of the evening.

Then to the main piece, the Brahms Requiem, performed by the choir and orchestra under the musical direction of James Rushman. Both choir and orchestra certainly deserve the highest praise for their inspired and moving rendition of this challenging work.

The two soloists, Mike Wadley (baritone) and Lorna Moore (soprano) both gave faultless performances, and I feel sure many hours had been spent rehearsing to ensure the audience enjoyed such a wonderful concert.

Thank you to everyone for a truly memorable birthday.

Madeleine Duncan

Bournemouth

Dorset

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