The Singapore Lyric Opera Chorus presented a full evening’s programme that saw many members competently performing as soloists in popular ensembles. Trained and led by chorus master
Terrence Toh with detailed and layered accompaniment by pianist
Dale Huang, they proved that the chorus is made of individual talents who are also skilled in performing as a whole.
Starting with the
Bell Chorus of
Pagliacci and the
Easter Hymn from
Cavalleria Rusticana, the collective group of singers sang like a company of soloists – strong voices that have served as the backbone of many a large scale operatic production, while responding sensitively to the dynamic shadings of their leader as a whole.
Jeth Mangubat’s strong, bell-like soprano rang through the hall in Santuzza’s solo lines in the Mascagni, setting the scene for the evening’s soloists to follow.
And measure up they did, as one after another broke ranks to stand front and centre onstage.
Ng Hui-Jing, Denise Liu, Lowell Tan, Raymond Wu, Xiao Chun-Yuan, Lim Ming-Jie, Patricia Teng and
Joan Baes sang beautifully in duets, trios and as choral soloists from a varied programme that includes pieces from Mozart’s
Idomeneo and
Don Giovanni and Verdi’s
Aida.
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Raymond Wu, Lowell Tan and Denise Liu |
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Ng Hui-Jing |
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Xiao Chun-Yuan and Lim Ming-Jie |
My personal favourite is
Ange adorable from Gounod’s
Romeo et Juliette, performed by real-life husband and wife duo
Jonathan Huang and
Lin Yu-Ching. Their number soared with sizzling chemistry as their bright, full voices blending with beautiful intimacy. A close second is the number from Bernstein’s
Candide, Life is Happiness Indeed, performed by host
Edwin Orlando Cruz, Chng Mun-Wye and Jeth Mangubat. Their lively slapstick presentation with nifty choregraphy, clever use of props and tightly coordinated patter singing provided high quality entertainment value.
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Jonathan Huang and Lin Yu-Ching |
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Right to left: Chng Mun-Wye, Jeth Mangubat and Edwin Orlando Cruz |
Other highlights for me are the
Prisoner’s Chorus from
Fidelio; this masterpiece for male chorus was sensitively delivered by the company’s virile male voices, with Jonathan Huang and bass
Marcus Chan delivering the solos. Verdi’s
Va Pensiero, a staple in the operatic chorus repertoire, was another highlight in a highly competent rendering.
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Marcus Chan |
To brighten up the evening further, members of the SLO’s
Artists Training Programme (ATP) lent their talents in much of the first half.
Sim Wei-Ying, Zerlina Tan, Keane Ong, Cherie Tse, Dennis Lau, Sun Zhao-Rui, Jonathan MacPherson and the lovely
Chieko Sato gave a nice presentation of numbers from
The Magic Flute, Madama Butterfly, The Merry Widow and more.
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Chorus Master Terrence Toh |
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Pianist Dale Huang |
After supporting the company’s international roster of stars for many a show, the company members of the SLO Chorus proved tonight that they have what it takes to be centrestage. The SLO has reason to be proud of its company of ensemble singers.
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