MUSICA LIVE demonstration of the development of European Sacred music over three centuries was the basis of the concert given by the Orpheus Singers on Saturday.
On paper this might sound rather academic and perhaps somewhat daunting.
However, in practice it made for a delightful evening of fine choral and vocal performance.
And what better venue on the Island could be found for such a programme than the majestic and impressive interior of Quarr Abbey?
Director of music Alan Burnett had found the best spot acoustically to place his musicians and the fairly short pieces kept the interest alive throughout.
It says much for the popularity of the singers that the abbey was full to bursting, with some audience having to sit on steps or prop themselves against pillars.
Palestrina, Hassler and di Lassus were among the 16th century composers represented in the first group and the choir sang particularly poignantly in Vittoria’s O Vos Omnes.
Soprano Alison Burnett negotiated the florid passages of Monteverdi’s Exulta Filia with complete aplomb.
The 17th century was represented by the trio of composers all born in 1685. Domenico Scarlatti’s hymn-like Iste Confessor had Rachel Tweddle and Helen Pascoe as the ethereal soloists.
Alison Burnett was joined by Sandy Hunt on the violin while the continuo parts were played by Philip Grainger (cello) and Brian Northcott (organ) in Handel’s Susse Stille. Soloist and instrumentalists combined to perfection.
In the second half, Helen Pascoe was the clear-voiced soloist in Mozart’s Laudate Dominum.
Emily Renshaw was on top form for her mezzo-soprano solos.
Haydn’s O quam triste was expressively sung but her 19th century contributions from Dvorak’s Opus 99 were the highlight of the concert.
The three-part motets by Mendelssohn and Brahms showed the ladies’ voices in exquisitely balanced form.
The concert ended with the Evening Song by Rheinberger, a fitting conclusion to a splendid concert even if "the evening shadows darken" were not quite appropriate as the audience filed out into the glorious sunlit gardens of the abbey.
The accomplished and supportive organ accompanist was Keith Smith.
• The concert raised £1,000 for the IW section of Macmil-lan Cancer Support.