THE Ulverston Bach Choir gave a fine Spring Concert in St Mary's Church, Ulverston, conducted by Alan Bolt and supported by a small string orchestra led by Roland Fudge. They opened with Schubert's Mass in G, followed by Vivaldi's Beatus Vir, written for the Pieta convent in Venice as part of the musical education of their (evidently very talented) girls.

The choir has a policy of encouraging young talent, and we enjoyed the voices of two students from Lancaster University, Laura Pointer and Biann Duval. Laura sang the Vivaldi: she has a lovely tone like poured cream, and was a delight both in her solo passages and in the duets with Julie Flanagan (soprano).

Biann sang in Haydn's Stabat Mater, with three other more experienced singers, Julie Flanagan, Julian Smith (tenor) and Nicolas Zekulin (baritone). She was tentative at first, but gained confidence and sang well. This is a magnificent piece, which is too rarely heard.

What a wonderful evening, and what a shame it was not better supported. On this form, note their next concert in your diary, November 8, 2003, at Ulverston Parish Church - a celebration of the music of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, 400 years after her death. RS

April 24, 2003 09:00