Memorable concert

Being an ardent lover of choral music, I attended the latest production by St Monica Choir on November 6 at St Agatha's Auditorium in Rabat.

Saturday's presentation was entitled The Circle of Life - An Animated movie Concert, commemorating the 40 years since the choir was founded by Sr Beniamina Portelli, who still directs it. The choice of the title shows how much this ensemble gives attention to detail, not just to the way it executes the scores but also because the activity was in aid of abandoned children in the care of the Augustinian nuns in Tagatay in the Philippines.

The opening bars of Be Our Guest set the perfect atmosphere from the very beginning of the concert, inviting those present to relax and enjoy the evening. Claudette Pace featured as Lumière in this stylish song and also had the title role when, together with the male section of the choir, she interpreted Cruella de Vil. Ms Pace also entertained the audience with her interpretation of Poor Unfortunate Souls from the film The Little Mermaid.

The choir was accompanied by a band ably led by Simone Attard. The musical interpretation was pleasant as was the overall sound quality and balancing in the auditorium. The stage light effects complemented beautifully each and every individual song and the dance acts during four numbers added elegance to the night. An added bonus was the terrific animation projected on a screen that added both colour and classiness.

Naturally, the focal point of the concert was the choir. Under the professional direction of Sr Beniamina, the choristers gave an impeccable performance of precision and technique. In one item after another, the choir excelled. From the sweet sound of Beauty and the Beast to the resounding reverberations of Trashin' the Camp and from the romantic Kiss the Girl to the celebrative Under the Sea, the audience were swept off their feet into a world of fantasy. It was really one of the most entertaining choral shows I have ever been to.

I must confess that I have been following this choir for quite some years now and was even part of the audience in November 1999 when the choir placed first in the 11th Malta Intemational Choir Festival. It is amazing how this choir never ceases to pleasantly surprise its audience and, as one of those present last Saturday put it, "when you think that this choir has reached a very high standard, they go and do something better".

A very well done to the St Monica Choir.