Voices united in Welsh song

RICH tenor and bass voices within the Victoria Welsh Choir will fill St Patrick’s Cathedral this weekend.

The all-male ensemble are set to perform their choral extravaganza, Voices Unite, with musical direction from Faleiry Koczkar and Rushan Hewawasam.

Victoria Welsh Choir president Tony Davies said the local branch of the group has been growing with enthusiasm since all chapters last came together in Ballarat four years ago.

He said he’s looking forward to creating special musical moments in the “outstanding” cathedral space.

“The acoustics of the cathedral are second to none and we can’t wait to perform there,” he said.

Sri Lankan duo, The De Lanerolle Brothers, made up of Ishan and Rohan De Lanerolle, will join the choir on stage.

“On their last visit to the city in 2019, the brothers’ performances elicited repeated standing ovations from an appreciative audience at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts,” Mr Davies said.

“The combination of Australia’s world class Welsh choir with the star-quality and charisma of The De Lanerolle brothers will ensure a unique musical experience, encompassing Welsh staples of the secular and sacred repertoire as well as a range of music from other genres.”

Welsh expats launched the Victoria Welsh Choir 43 years ago, and now under the leadership of Koczkar and associate musical director Hewawasam, they sing across the state, country, and globe.

The Victoria Welsh Choir presents Voices Unite is set for Saturday, 19 August at 2pm at 3 Lyons Street South, Ballarat. Tickets are $25 at the door or via bit.ly/3DWhTch.