As I mentioned in the above post, I’m shocked at how much I don’t remember about the Christmas Concert at St. George’s. I’ve been trying to remember details about the songs and the soloists and I can’t place any individual or duo into any specific song.
Perhaps I should’ve taken notes as others did. I’m reluctant to do so because I feel it’s a distraction that would keep me from immersing myself in the music. But, there are some things…...
As another reviewer already reported, there is of course the crash of something falling over at the very outset of the program which fortunately, didn’t put the boys off at all from entering and beginning their concert.
When the mini-boys had filed out in front of the stage for their first song, I couldn’t help but notice one of them (the one with no front teeth) had a look on his face that was sort of between fright and “what am I doing here,†or at least that’s what I thought I saw. As the evening progressed he did seem to relax.
Kudos to Alex G on his solo in Wayfaring Stranger. When this song was first done in Washington, D.C., Sam W sang the solo, he did it so well that it gave me chills. Alex G has matched that and more. His performance also gave me chills, which I didn’t expect. I think it was his rendition, his voice had a sad, lonely texture to it that set the emotion of the song. That's the best I can describe it. A fine performance, well done lad. I hope we see more of him in solo parts in the future.
I tried to pick out the boys performing the descants through the various songs, spotting Alex M. (who I think did most), Gabe C., and I think in one instance, Alex G. I’m sure there were others I didn’t catch.
Well into the program, it was becoming apparent that some of the mini-boys were having a tough time staying awake. One youngster in the right hand group, looked like he was about to fall asleep standing up. His eyes would close for several seconds at a time, he looked like he was struggling.
My seat was in an interesting location, row D. It placed me close to the stage with the sound system at row C to my far right. It was a unique setup, I could hear the boys singing on stage and from the speakers at the same time.
The tables for M&G (signature session) were setup in a horse shoe configuration in an adjacent room. I had my calendar, program and CD, ready for the action. Greeted each boy by name, some just looking at me and smiled, others returning the greeting as they set their initials to my calendar. I asked Romeo if he had fun singing on the stage with the big boys, he grinned and reply, “yeah.†He’s so small it’s a wonder he didn’t get lost in all thous towering white robes.
All in all, a great concert and experience.
The calendar has beautiful portraits of the boys set in groups. If you don’t have one, go to libera.org.uk/shop and get one or two or three…. (gifts)
Nice that Libera could facilitate a M&G at a UK concert again. I expect it could only happen on a Friday/Saturday night concert during term time, and that's after everything else is in place.
