ALISON CROOSE King's Lynn Corn Exchange

ALISON CROOSE

> King's Lynn Corn Exchange

Inspirational choral director Michael Kibblewhite transported the chorus and their audience on a voyage of delight to Italy with a programme encompassing favourite operatic music. Works by Puccini and Rossini are no pushover for amateur voices, but such is Mr Kibblewhite's skill, leadership and enthusiasm, he coaxed the chorus of more than 100 voices to new heights of achievement.

The complex Kyrie and Gloria from Puccini's Messa di Gloria, Verdi's Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and Donizetti's Chorus of the Wedding Guests were handled with expertise and assurance. There was authentic Italian involvement when soprano Annika Kaschenz, from Tuscany, accompanied by Francesco Attesti captivated the audience with an excerpt from Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte and Habanera from Bizet's Carmen.

Two members of the chorus played anvils while the choir had fun with Verdi's Anvil Chorus and a triumphant concert concluded with a lively performance of Kyrie and Cum Sancto Spiritu from Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle.