Villa Marina Royal Hall, February 17 2008
You could have heard the proverbial pin drop when the final hushed tones of Verdi's
masterpiece drew to a close. Seconds later, when the Royal Hall exploded in rapturous
applause, you couldn't hear yourself think.
When a concert of the calibre of the Verdi Requiem is performed in the Island, it
is imperative that people take the opportunity to see such a production and the Manx
public duly obliged, descending on the Villa Marina in their hundreds to help support
the worthy beneficiary of the night, the Isle of Man Children's Centre.
Having sung the Requiem all over the world, I was thrilled to see it return to the
Island - and immensely proud to see it performed so superbly.
This is an incredibly challenging piece of music. Verdi was 60 when he wrote Requiem
and he brought all his experience and influences to bear to produce a work that has more
than just stood the test of time. His style is very different from anything else; it has a
vast range and he varied the way he wrote like no one else. He had a very particular voice
in mind for everything he wrote and you have to totally immerse yourself in that style,
otherwise you will be lost.
But there were no such fears on Sunday night at the Villa. To see so much talent on
show from the Isle of Man Choral Society and the Isle of Man Symphony Orchestra - and all
local talent, too - was a joy to behold.
There were more than 200 involved in the performance, including soloists Soprano
Kristene Sutcliffe, Contralto Mandy Griffin, Tenor Ernie Thorn and Bass/Baritone
Philip Summerscales - a remarkable achievement which towns of comparable size elsewhere
couldn't hope to match. Planning for this night began early last year and several months'
rehearsing culminated in a rousing performance, from the sensational trumpet fanfare to the
thrilling tones of Kristene performing Libera me with the choir, from Mandy's beautifully
phrased singing to the linchpin of the entire night, conductor Julian Power, who took on
this formidable task and rose to the occasion admirably. Despite suffering from a head cold,
Ernie acquitted himself superbly whilst Philip brought to bear his many years' experience
with the English National Opera, the BBC and elsewhere to produce a glorious baritone voice.
All in all, a triumphant and unforgettable night. And wouldn't you know it, the Isle of Man
is not the cultural desert some would have you believe it is.
Margaret Curphey