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We all know that a Manama Singers Concert is going to be magical but the Christmas Concert (s)- A Not So Silent Night at the Movenpick Hotel in Muharraq on Saturday 29th November under the guidance of conductor Leah Churchill ,were even more special.
I have it on good authority from 6 year old Ali Baqer, a very happy member of the children’s concert audience, that not only was the concert ‘just great’ but that a certain gentleman in red even put in an appearance – and was mobbed!
I attended the evening concert and I was transported to a world where Jimmie Stewart was still wishing everyone A Wonderful Life and the sound of sleigh bells was not too far away.
From the opening chords of Carol of The Bells to the foot-stamping last verse of We Wish You a Merry Christmas we were all cocooned in a cloud of music and song that made everyone’s troubles disappear.
Many of the carols and songs were works by the inimitable John Ritter, from Angle Tidings to the glorious Gloria and The Very Best Time of The Year. There were places reserved for some not so traditional music as well – but back to that in a moment.
Having opened our hearts with Carol of The Bells we were awestruck by soloist Haya Nasser’s rendition of O Holy Night. I cannot think of a word that comes close to invoking the crystal clear clarity of each word and the feeling she put into singing. It is moments like this that make a Manama Singers Concert such an amazing and memorable journey into the world of song.
After the interval we were treated to a marvelous rendition of Santa Baby by the inimitable Anna Thompson–Hall, who never fails to entertain us with not only her glorious voice but her ability to transport us to another place. Closely followed by Joy to The World and O Come All Ye Faithful, both of which we were invited to join in with, the Singers had us eating out of the palm of their hands.
The juxtaposition of upbeat songs and more traditional carols was delightful. In The Bleak Midwinter with young Hayden Cox as the soloist had me close to tears and was immediately followed by instructions to Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas from Anna Thompson Hall once again.
The event closed with the wonderful Silent Night sung in French by Aurelie Soto and with a hummed version by the choir closing the performance.
Of course, we wanted an encore and it was the unforgettable and time honoured We Wish You A Merry Christmas. The Manama Singers rocked it once again … a wonderful evening to celebrate a wonderful time of year.
