So I'll do a "brief" review of Lincoln. I said that my Chester review would be short but it ended up being long lol.... so who knows how protracted this will end up being
I'll start with a few key points that were already pointed out by others. Firstly, nearly every fan that I spoke to said that this concert was definitely one of the better ones they had attended, or at least was definitely a standout. Because many European fans are able to see them more often than someone like myself, I take them at their word in this regard; yet I definitely think this has been one of the better concerts I've ever seen them in as well.
So why is that? Well, the cathedral itself created a different ambiance than what we saw in Chester. Due to the architecture Chester did not have as many good opportunities for Libera's lighting as Lincoln Cathedral did. This is simply a limitation of the space.
The quality of the lighting sparked a fierce debate during intermission as to whether the stone archway separating the nave from the choir (on which a beautiful organ with golden pipes) was mounted, should be referred to as a "rood screen", a "pulpitum", an "organ loft", or a "quire screen".
We ended up settling/ageeeing on
pulpitum after I lost the argument for "rood screen"
This stone structure as well as the arches on either side created magnificent lighting effects which, when combined with the ceiling lighting in the choir part of the cathedral, as well as the side arches closest to the stage, enhanced the music with brilliant and dazzling color.
It made me realize just how paltry the lighting had been in comparison in Chester. Not to say that the lighting in Chester was poor, but this is like comparing a burger (perhaps even a really good and high quality burger from a mid-priced restaurant) to filet mignon! There's really just no comparison between good and great here.
But I'm not finished talking about pulpitums and rood screens and organ lofts quite yet
because both "Salva Me" and "Voca Me" had Ben and Joseph respectively having to run up to the top of the pulpitum (near the red curtain in the photo above) to do those descant solos! This created a marvelous effect especially when the boys had the spotlight put on them for their high note parts. It was kind of funny that they did it because poor Joseph after having done the high parts for his song had to run down from there and then be in position for his solo on "Prayer"
. Poor boy! But he actually handled it perfectly fine and his performance was top notch again, as was his brother's on all of their respective songs. As I already praised them quite extensively in my last review I will just say that they are both fantastic soloists and an asset to the choir, and then stop there.
Overall the choir sounded much better and much clearer tonight. I don't believe that this was entirely the result of the acoustics in Lincoln although that's certainly one of the factors – instead it was a confluence of the boys being more confident and the acoustics being just right for them.
I would go so far as to say that confidence was the main theme of the night in terms of the performances by the boys. We had a very confident performance by Freddie H who replaced Mitchel's lower duet with Ben on "Smile" (Mitchel was absent from the concert). Freddie, like Lewis, who I mentioned in my Chester review, is clearly going through a voice change but the slightly lower range and timbre of his voice adds to to the performance rather than detracts from it because it makes his voice sound somehow more rounded out. Obviously this wouldn't work for just any song but it certainly worked on this duet with Ben. He also did great on his other solo and duet parts, it's just that this one stood out a bit more because of the change in Chester.
Also, and because of Mitchel's absence, "O Beata" was sung completely solo by Cameron. I feel like he delivered the song with much greater confidence and poise than in Chester. We also got to hear his voice more clearly because the solo parts were sung as solos rather than as a duet. Being a very challenging song that requires the sustaining of some rather high notes, I don't envy any chorister that has to do this particular solo, yet Cameron's pleasant voice really shined through.
In my last review I realized I didn't mention Pietro who alongside Morgan did "Angel" with no flaws and with full confidence. I already greatly praised Morgan in my last review and I have nothing new to add except that he continued to be unflappable in his performance.
What surprised me the most was a conversation that happened after the concert with many of the fans when we were talking about which songs of the night were our favorites. I was surprised that so very many fans (although certainly not all), agreed that "Sacris Solemnis" was either their favorite song of the night or at least top 3. I was definitely one of those who would classify it exactly that way. It was just so flawlessly performed. Although I praised this song in Chester, it was even better in Lincoln with the superior acoustics – the boys also just seemed to have greater energy too. This doesn't just include those doing the high notes on the song or the intro solo by Freddie H, but just the overall choir being in top form.
The choir just sounded more well put together and the staging enhancements created a unique and wonderful atmosphere, the type that makes us come back to see them again and again and again! The type that makes us forget that we just sat through a two hours long concert that felt like it only lasted just 20 minutes!
So with that the UK summer tour has come to an end and everyone is heading home either domestically or internationally. With a new recording on the way, a Japan tour scheduled, and a Christmas concert on the horizon, we have much to look forward to for the remainder of the year as fans. Even for those like myself who are unable to attend any more concerts, the promise of a recording is always something wonderful to look forward to.
Aside from the concert and hearing our favorite choir, there is nothing better than hanging out with fellow fans, doing local sightseeing together, and just having a good time whether discussing music or not. I look forward to that just as much as I do the concerts if I'm being honest and neither fans nor choir have ever disappointed me to date!
I hope you get to enjoy a concert in good company someday. Are you going to attend the Christmas concert ?