Review: Joy of the performers was crowning glory of this wonderful presentation of musical masterpiece at historic Burnley church
The last two years have been difficult for so many arts organisations.
Rehearsals were unable to continue, concerts were cancelled and the mental and physical benefits of being creative with others was taken away from so many of us.
It is testament to the strength of The Burnley Municipal Choir, under the musical direction of Nigel Wilkinson, that they have bounced back magnificently. Indeed they were sounding better than ever.
Having missed the entirety of their centenary season in 2020 they opened their 2021/2022 season with Carl Orff's Carmina Burana in October, followed by a performance on Saturday of Handel's Messiah at St Peter's Church in Burnley.
- Susan Plunkett/Dave Warren - Burnley Express
Burnley Municipal Choir hit the high notes with stunning Carmina Burana performance
There have been times over the last 18 months, when we may have longed for a return to a normality, albeit a slightly different normality.
To say that the second half of the concert was a triumph, is no exaggeration. Carmina Burana is a huge challenge and an ambitious musical composition. Written almost 100 years ago, it was based upon a collection of medieval poems, written mainly in Latin and German.
The choir is now over 100 years old and continues to produce concerts of an excellent quality. Nigel Wilkinson, as Director of Music, inspires and manages music worthy of any concert hall in the UK and is to be congratulated. All who were there, were greatly enriched by the experience.
- Hilary Wood
