The Ark goes to a concert

Last night we were in the Salle de Fetes at Matha to listen to the All Souls Orchestra perform. It must be the third time we have heard this excellent orchestra and we try to attend their performances every to years, when they have a French tour
  The orchestra was created in 1972 in London, at All Souls Church by Noel Treddinnick, who remains their conductor.  He overflows with energy, bounding and gesticulating in front of his musicians, seeming to drag them along with him, I can't imagine how they could fail to perform to their utmost with such a leader! They are internationally famous, so we are lucky that Noel arranges a tour of several local towns, he has a second home in Deux Sevres.
   We found the orchestra most impressive as always, the two vocal soloists being particularly excellent. Several well known pieces were performed, both secular and religious. Strangely, Noel doesn't seem to speak any French and an interpreter was used to translate his words to the English followers. The audience was a mixture of both nationalities, so this was much appreciated. Later in the evening, we were asked to stand and sing a hymn in French, which gave us the opportunity to see what being conducted by NoelTreddinick was like! Altogether an enjoyable evening, well worth the drive to Matha and the rather late return.

Bye for now, going to make a cuppa..