The very best of Gilbert and Sullivan (From Gazette Series)

The very best of Gilbert and Sullivan

HOW refreshing to listen to a well presented selection of popular excerpts from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

The spirit of Nelson spilled over from the bicentennial with The British Tar is a Soaring Soul from H M S Pinafore.

The choir's linguistic skills were then revealed in the melodious Buon giorno, signorine! from The Gondoliers. Excerpts from act one of The Pirates of Penzance brought the choir's contribution to part one to an end and opened the concert to the boundless energy of youth.

The skill and musicianship of these young members of the Swing Band was of the highest order as they entertained the audience with Shake, Rattle and Roll and Summertime from Porgy and Bess.

Alto sax solos followed - impressive performances by young Richard Joyce and Natalie Franks. A tenor sax solo, Careless Whisper, was ably played by Marcus Tibbitts.

Part two opened in an atmosphere so familiar to us oldies and, apparently, equally enjoyable to the young - an atmosphere conjured up by the strains of Glenn Miller's In the Mood and Moonlight Serenade. The flgelhorn is a relatively uncommon instrument but Stephanie May played with great skill - a solo from Concerto de Aranguez. The band continued with Lil' Darlin' and Soul Bossa Nova.

The Cotswold Chorus then returned to offer excerpts from act two of The Pirates of Penzance with excellent performances by the soloists, Lynette Magnone, Joyce Owen-Lamonde, Eleanor Mears, Sally Larkham, Doug Sisley, John Quinn, David Wood and Andrew Telford - most of whom are members of the choir.

The continuity was maintained with an excellent narration by Gill Lyons and the audience was entertained by the hearty involvement of the choir in the unfolding drama.

An excellent concert in which the Cotswold Choir maintained its high level of performance. - Musical director Michael Veazey and the choir itself are to be congratulated, together with the accompanist James Corbett.

The contribution of the Rednock School Swing Band cannot be commended too highly - they are a credit to their leader, Jason Andrews, to Rednock School and to Dursley in general.