AN AMBITIOUS musical programme paid dividends for those lucky to be at the Victoria Hall.
Under the banner of Modern Masterpieces, Bolton Choral Union were joined by the Saint Nicholas Singers from Chorley, the Manchester Camerata Concert Orchestra and stunning soprano Claire Moore.
Opening with a selection from Lloyd-Webber, there was a jaunty Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera, before Ms Moore graced us with a sublime delivery of Think of Me.
The Camerata, led by Andrew Long and conducted by Michael Greenhalgh, had some fun with a lively rendition of a medley from Jesus Christ Superstar, before Ms Moore returned with an impeccably tender Memory from Cats and an emotional I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables.
The first half closed with Ms Moore giving us one of her own compositions, Song of Dreams. Ms Moore, a local talent, quite rightly enjoys an excellent international reputation and the satin-wrapped vocal gymnastics she displayed were a rare treat to hear. It was nice to have her back.
The second part was a performance of Karl Jenkins's 1999 composition, The Armed Man. Using a score combining poetry, hymns and Latin Mass chants, his Mass for Peace was an emotionally-taxing but ultimately uplifting journey through the horror of war.
The adventurous orchestral and choral themes were tackled confidently by both orchestra and chorus and when the singers finally lifted the roof with Better is Peace, you really did feel there was hope for us all. In these dark times, Bolton Choral Union gave us a precious ray of light.
Bolton Choral Union, Modern Masterpieces, Victoria Hall, Bolton
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