Wow, what a night! This year’s performance of Messiah sold out nearly a week before the concert, a first for the International Festival Chorus. We even sold out all of the boxes for the first time in the history of the Forbidden City Concert Hall. And, we delivered. Phrasing was immaculate and consonants were spit out with gleeful abandon. The soloists were outstanding. When the house lights came up, the audience were on their feet - a standing ovation!!
I’ve certainly grown as a Tenor during this concert, and I believe the same is true for everyone. We really took ourselves up to professional level. Our Soprano soloist Gillian Webster commented to conductor Nick Smith that the Tenor section in particular was as good as any she’s heard in London, professional or otherwise. High praise indeed!! The fact that I can be a part of this choir is one of the highlights of my life, let alone of my stay in China.