ORA Singers contrast Ancient and Modern at the Perth Festival

ORA Singers

Suzi Digby

By David Smythe, 23 May 2025

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“The ORA Singers are masters of the use of space to enhance their performance”

Reviewed at St John's Kirk, Perth on 22 May 2025

Allegri, Miserere mei, Deus

Victoria, Ave Maria

Simpson, Ave Maria

Perivolaris, An End without End

Palestrina, Assumpta est Maria

Bednall, Assumpta est Maria

Anonymous, Alma redemptoris mater

McDowall, Alma Redemptoris Mater

de Lassus, Timor et tremor

Poulenc, Quatre motets pour un temps de pénitence, FP 97: Tristis est anima mea

Brunelli, Sicut Lilium

Barber, Sicut Lilium

MacMillan, Miserere

ORA Singers

Suzi Digby, Conductor

A dream of a Gerontius from Pappano, the LSO and Chorus

Roy Westbrook, 21st April

Giving their 27th performance of the oratorio, the London Symphony Chorus excel as angelic angels and demonic demons.

****1

Benedetti ablaze with the Philharmonia

Christopher Woodley, 19th April

As gifts to the Philarmonia's 80th birthday season, Nicola Benedetti gives a barnstorming account of Elgar's Violin Concerto before Cristian Mӑcelaru gets emotionally drained by La Mer.

*****

Nicholas McGegan brings delicacy and elegance to Mendelssohn

Erica Miner, 18th April

The Seattle Symphony offers an enchanting evening immersed in the joy and brilliance of both the young and the mature genius of Felix Mendelssohn.

****1

Picture postcard Spain from the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia

Phil Parker, 17th April

Vibrant, colourful music is played with every last ounce of enthusiasm as the Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia rounds off its UK tour at Sheffield City Hall.

****1

Wrangling the octopus: Mahler’s Ninth with Sir Simon Rattle

Chanda VanderHart, 17th April

Less a symphony, more a force of nature, Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Vienna Philharmonic in a turbulent, yet spacious reading of Mahler's Ninth Symphony in the Musikverein.

****1

Tarmo Peltokoski conducts the Hallé in Mahler and Vaughan Williams

Leighton Jones, 16th April

Mahler’s Rückert-Lieder provide an apt, if somewhat unexpected, partner to Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony in Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall.

****1

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David Smythe

David the farmer was drawn into music through choirs, orchestras, taking part in and directing 'serious' opera as a student. Passionate about live classical music, particularly chamber opera, unusual pieces and events and giving the next generation the tools to engage with the classical world.