Saturday 19 June 2010
The Choir is indebted to its Musical Director, John Jenkins for his work with Sir Willard White's team and for his article which appears in the National and local press & detailed below
Following successful performances at Cardiff and Clifton Cathedrals and a highly acclaimed visit to the awe inspiring Liverpool Cathedral, the Bridgend Male Choir returns to the concert platform at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl on Saturday, July 3rd.
Joining the 90 strong choir for their 50th Anniversary Concert will be the eminent Bass/Baritone, Sir Willard White. Born in Jamaica, Sir Willard has graced opera houses, all over the world singing at La Scala, Milan; Covent Garden and the Met and staged with many of the greatest orchestras. Knighted in 2004, Sir Willard has a full worldwide concert schedule. He starred in the much-loved film, Porgy and Bess. Bridgend Male Choir is proud to appear with him.
“The Choir is thrilled to be staging with Sir Willard who is no stranger to the Grand Pavilion,” comments Media Officer, David Burt. “It was he who celebrated the memory of Paul Robeson there in 2007. Recalling the social justice advocate’s emotional transatlantic broadcast to the Miners’ Eisteddfod at Porthcawl fifty years earlier, Sir Willard will include the spiritual "Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”. Musical Director, John Jenkins, adds, “Sir Willard’s programme includes several tributes to Paul Robeson and we are delighted that Sir Willard will premiere my arrangement of “Deep River”. This spiritual was sung in the 1940 film, The Proud Valley, starring Robeson and the legendary Rachel Thomas. This edition was made to celebrate our Golden Jubilee and we are highly honoured that such a superb artist has agreed to sing it with us.
The choir will feature spirituals, music by Mozart and Wagner, a “Sounds Welsh” special and the ever-popular Comrades in Arms”. Supported by the choir’s highly talented accompanist, Laura Smith, Sir Willard will perform Copland’s Old American Songs and music by Vaughan Williams and Berlioz. His “Showtime Finale” focuses on If I Were a Rich Man, Some Enchanted Evening and I Got Plenty Of Nothin’ Also in showstopper mood, the choir will feature Rhythm of Life and from their CD 50 Glorious Years: Classic Male, Cavatina and Memory.
Chairman, Mansel Abraham comments “For the grand finale, we will sing Ol’ Man River with Sir Willard - a fitting finale for the our Golden Anniversary Gala since the choir “just keeps rolling along”.
* Bridgend Male Choir 50th Anniversary Concert will be held at 7.30pm on July 3rd at the Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. Tickets available from the Pavilion Box Office ( 01656 815995)