On a beautiful spring evening in St Nicholas Church Warwick Diatonic Choir performed its 200th concert in the anniversary of its 30th year. This commemorative concert opened in the first half with the music of J S Bach, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring and Nun Danket Alle Gott moving on to the work of Henry Purcell ‘Come Ye Son’s of Art’. Diatonic and the soloists Ginny Yoon-Hwang (soprano) Penny Turnbull (Alto) and David Borsada (Bass) singing seamlessly through the odes.

All pieces related to celebration and the Purcell in honour of the birthday of Queen Mary 11 of England. Soloists choir and members of the Leamington Chamber Orchestra giving a most beautiful performance conducted by Bernard Sutton leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the concert’s second half George Frederick Handel ‘Messiah’ part 2, which depicts Jesus atoning sacrifice for our sins, his resurrection, his triumph over death and his eventual return to power and justice. Part 2 seeming to have a natural beginning and end and containing the most dramatic of music.

Rob Forbes (Tenor) joined the soloists at this stage with the performance again moving seamlessly between pieces and all performers giving the most committed and precise of performances. All conveyed a range of emotional meanings that clearly resonated with the audience. The surge of feelings within the church was palpable and the audience began to become part of the performance emotionally, the sorrows and the joys. The performance was a triumph, joyous and heart rending. The music and singing soaring and exquisite almost taking one’s breath away. The investment by all was clear to see and feel and the soloist’s choir orchestra conductor and accompanist absolutely gave it their all. The audience were brought to their feet in applause and encouraged to join in an encore of the Hallelujah chorus to their total delight. All would leave and return home having been immersed in a truly memorable experience.