Ely Cathedral has always enjoyed a reputation for music of the highest quality.
It was no surprise when retired lay clerk, Charles Borthwick was able to gather a group of talented lay clerks and friends to produce a highly entertaining Gilbert and Sullivan Evening presented in the south transept of Ely Cathedral.
A carefully
designed programme gave the packed audience a taste of music of the highest calibre as well as many moments of uninhibited hilarity.
A less well known work by Gilbert and Sullivan, "Princess Ida", gave us a delightful foray into the battle of the sexes. This was the fourth of a series of annual Gilbert and Sullivan evenings and the full SATB choir gathered on this occasion was a splendid addition.
Highlights of the evening were the contributions by Ron Greydanus and the whole company in dramatic splendour. Ron Greydanus alto, counter tenor and, for this evening, tenor, showed an amazing vocal capacity and technique in his exquisite performance of "Now sleeps the crimson petal" by Roger Quilter.
John Simmons, Andrew Greenfield, Charles Borthwick, Simon Adams, Jonny Jones, Richard Clover, Paul Trepte (Director of Music at Ely Cathedral), Rohan Stewart-MacDonald and Vanessa Scott, all in fine voice, captured the dramatic humour of the Gilbert and Sullivan style perfectly. As expected, they were admirably accompanied on piano by Assistant Organist at Ely Cathedral, Jonathan Lilley.
One of the crowning moments was the clanking arrival of the three warriors complete in shining armour and wielding swords at dangerous angles as they parodied their 'military' roles.
To hear such lines as "The rum tum tum of the military drum" from the lips of figures we associate with the highest echelons of church music society not only helped to raise funds for the Cathedral Choir Tour to the States in October 2008, but brought home to us how fortunate we are to have such talented people in our midst –people who are willing to use the few spare moments they have to share this talent in such a down-to-earth and thoroughly enjoyable way.
For more information
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