Alexandra Palace's beautiful Victorian Theatre was almost full as the Crouch End Festival Chorus gave its fortieth-birthday concert with a performance of Mendelssohn’s monumental oratorio Elijah.
It was an excellent selection; a composition which draws heavily for its musical structure on the works of Bach and Handel - both firm favourites in the CEFC repertoire.
This was the fourth time the chorus had performed the biblical epic whose libretto is based on the Old Testament story of Elijah - a prophet seen by some a precursor to Jesus.
Accompanied by the excellent London Orchestra da Camera, the five soloists were superb, but mention must be made to the extraordinary voice of bass James Platt.
His Elijah was perfect: his imposing, hirsute presence and thundering, authoritative voice was extraordinary. James is exactly what the entranced audience thought a three-thousand-year dead prophet should look and sound like.
If you ever need any smiting done, James is your man.
CEFC regularly works with Orchestra da Camera and under conductor David Temple’s intuitive lead they collaborate hand in glove and make some wonderful sounds.
The lead flautist and first cello shone especially bright.
I have written before about the CEFC bounce. It happens when all 120 members get into that zone where they deliver (and know they are delivering) something special.
On Saturday, it started early as they sang the roles of the People and The Priests of Baal: 'Baal we cry to thee' is a recurring highlight of almost four decades listening to this fabulous group of singers.
As the choir sang 'Thou fillest heaven with thy glory,' and the music faded, the audience rose as one to cheer, whoop and whistle.
The choir was formed by tenors David Temple and John Gregson to sing Verdi’s Requiem at Hornsey Town Hall for the Crouch End Festival.
In the programme, Temple, now Music Director, wrote that the choir work “…tirelessly under my very demanding direction.”
The excited chatter of concert-goers on the W3 home confirmed that it has all been worth it.
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