THIS was an uplifting evening of cross-cultural entertainment carried in a moving spirit of international friendship and co-operation.

Here were the boys of Turku, Finland, performing with the cream of Bolton's young musicians.

The event was to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Finland's independence. The Bolton orchestra was led by the soon to be retired conductor Elizabeth Forrest, while the boys' choir was superbly marshalled by Director Heikko Rainio.

In the second half of the programme Mr Rainio was to demonstrate what an excellent voice he possesses and won prolonged applause for Ave Maria and Panis Angelicus.

The boys themselves excelled in the sacred music of Kristus Val Valkeuden (J. S. Bach) and Ave Verum Corpus (E. Elgar).

The quality of the choir's singing was at times quite breathtaking, proving that choral work is a truly beautiful form of music.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Ms Forrest and her charges as they scaled new heights of musical virtuosity, particularly in Wagner's Suite from Tannhauser.

The joint finale of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance March No 1 in D and Land of Hope and Glory were a fitting end to a lovely evening.

Also in attendance were Berndt Soderstrom, the Consul of Findland and Bolton Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr and Mrs Peter Birch. Nick Jackson

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.