ONCE again, local artistes provided a first class evening of entertainment, when Kidderminster Male Choir, plus Russell Painter and David Morgan treated us to a couple of hours of relaxing music.

 

The choir,sang superbly throughout, as always, including Robbie Williams’ Angels and the ever popular Alexander’s Ragtime Band and also Deus Salutis, a hymn which male choirs throughout the country are performing this year at the centenery of the death of its composer, GH Jones.

 

In the second half, they really raised the rafters with excellent performances of Hava Naglia when Steve Singleton joined Maureen Bowkett at the piano, the Dambusters March, the Soldiers Chorus from Faust, and plenty more!

 

Russell Painter never fails to delight his audience, not only with his beautiful voice, but his personality and I am sure they were all as delighted as I was to hear that he has been given the main lead role, Don Jose in a forthcoming production of Carmen - I hope I can get to see that.

 

Russell, accompanied brilliantly by the multi-faceted David Morgan, treated us to a superb version of the famous Flower Song from Carmen, some Gilbert and Sullivan, the beautiful Panis Angelicus, La Serenata, Maria from West Side Story, which Russell always sings particularly well and his section came to an end with a breath taking rendition of Nessun Dorma.

 

While Russell admitted he could never aspire to sing it like Pavarotti, as no one can, I was very impressed with his version and believe me I have heard it sung much, much worse (Paul Potts springs to mind!).

 

The evening ended with the choir singing An African Prayer and I am sure everyone went home happy. The event made a profit of just over £200.