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REVIEW of Amorata, Milverton Concert Society at St Michael's Church AMORATA is an ensemble of six singers - two sopranos, two mezzo-sopranos, one tenor and one baritone - and a pianist-accompanist. Formed in 2003 in Bristol, the ensemble aims to combine a wide range of music types with some visual interpretation' of the music.
A total of 21 pieces, collected into eight groups, plus an encore were fitted into the two hours. Included were religious music, Opera, Madrigals, Folk songs and some more popular songs of a few decades ago. Composers included Mozart, Bizet, Offenbach, Lennon & McCartney, Gershwin and Simon & Garfunkel.
The concert began with the Russian Liturgical Gospodi', confidently sang without introduction with the singers processing from the back of the church.
From Opera, Susan Weaver, as Carmen, selected a member of the audience for her seduction scene in the Habanera (lucky man).
In going to my Naked Bed' is a Madrigal by local musician (well, born near Yeovil) Richard Edwards, composed in about 1560.
The clearly very talented Yukiko Yoshizu performed the Chopin Grand Etude Op10, No.3 (Tristesse), though this lost some impact by being played on an electric piano rather than a concert grand.
Probably the most interesting piece was Heart' by Helen Chadwick, inspired by a nervous breakdown. The singers dispersed throughout the church in the first section of this piece with a highly effective nervous and frenetic scoring of the word Hey! Eventually recovery was indicated by more rational music and the singers gradually moving back to the stage to present a unified conclusion.
The ensemble, individually and in ensemble, produced a polished and professional sound which clearly captivated the audience. This reviewer thought the group sang well within its capabilities, and it would have had even more impact on this audience were it to have sung some more innovative pieces, particularly in the second half.
Peter Hutchinson
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