The wind howled, and the rain was biblical – perhaps appropriate, but we all got to the Town Hall and performed a truly epic rendition of

DVOŘÁK’s STABAT MATER on Saturday (16th March). Despite the tremendous sadness that inspired the work, it is a truly glorious piece to sing. The audience was a bit reduced due to the appalling weather but those that came certainly enjoyed the music.

David Hill’s pacing and dynamic shading allowed this epic work to unfold in luminous orchestral and vocal detail. Balancing between the seventy members of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the organ, Leeds Philharmonic Chorus and St Peter’s Singers – “140 voices singing with consoling warmth and supple power”.  Joe’s effort with the rehearsals all paid off.

As one reviewer said “all contributed to a performance of powerful emotional impact”.

I hope everyone managed to get home – roads and train lines were flooded out to the Ilkley area.