Choir’s passion back in full voice

THE Bendigo Chorale is getting into pitch as they prepare for their first major public performance in almost two years.

Bendigo’s longest running choir will sing grand opera, tunes from Gershwin, and Adiemus by Karl Jenkins from his Songs of Sanctuary in a late-afternoon concert at Forest Street Uniting Church on Saturday, 31 July.

President of Bendigo Chorale David Wright said the four-part choir has been looking forward to the event and is excited to finally be back on stage doing what they love.

“Unfortunately, in recent times we’ve been inhibited by the COVID virus like everybody else and not been able to have a concert,” he said.

“We’re very fortunate that Elena Varshavskaya comes up every week from Melbourne to be our director. She brings a lot of experience with her, as does Belinda Moon our accompanist.”

“In addition to the choir singing, we’ll have the Arco String Ensemble, a Melbourne-based youth ensemble of string players under Marina Feldmann and the organist at Forest Street Uniting Church, who’s very competent and long-standing is David Castles who’ll present all the music.”

Mr Wright said being kept off stage for so long reignited the groups passion for choir.

“I was surprised at the renewed enthusiasm and the value that the choir members put on this past-time of singing,” he said.

“People were really re-energised as a result of being prohibited from meeting and singing. It awakened us all to the joy of singing and the joy that we as choristers get out of presenting fine music to the Bendigo community.

“It’s very self-satisfying for us as we learn these new works and feel a sense of achievement when we get competent to the point where we present it as a concert.”

Tickets will be available at the door for $25 for adults, $20 for concession and $15 for students, with 12 and under free.