No masks, screens or other barriers, Kintbury choir emerges energised from lockdown

Opus2: Spring Choral Concert on Saturday, February 26, at St Mary's Church, Kintbury. Review by GRAHAM NESS

Focusing on the themes of spring and rebirth, the Kintbury based chamber choir Opus2, opened their season with a concert at St Mary’s Church, Kintbury. In common with many other choirs, Opus2 was celebrating emerging from the recent pandemic induced lockdowns, to finally be able to perform to an audience once again without masks, screens or other barriers.

Performing a range of music dating from 16th-century Thomas Tallis through to contemporary pieces by Rutter, Stopford, Esenvalds and Hagenberg, Opus2 demonstrated confidence under the musical direction of Chris Lambert and accompanied by Susan Norman - who also made instrumental contributions by way of two organ and piano duets. The first of these duets was Fantaisie by American composer Clifford Demarest, while the second was Satyagraha’s Act 3 Conclusion by Philip Glass, well-known as an American minimalist composer

The concert ended with Why We Sing by US composer Greg Gilpin; a ballad that surely reflects choirs’ feeling of celebration as they emerge from the past two years of lockdowns brought about by the pandemic – "as though any justification were needed for providing – and sharing – such enjoyment!" said Jenny Veasey, licensed lay minister Walbury Beacon benefice.