Last Saturday 31st May saw an injection of international spirit into Malvern Male Voice Choir’s concert programme when the biggest concert of the year so far saw them join forces with the Spirit of Hope Gospel Choir from Zurich. The Swiss choir are celebrating their Silver Jubilee year, and visited Malvern as part of their celebrations.

The august setting of Malvern Priory played host to this special event bringing together what might appear to be very different choral styles. The dynamism and energy of the Gospel tradition was brought to life by the Spirit of Hope singers, whose repertoire includes religious and spiritual music of all kinds and in many languages (including the beautiful German blessing ‘Der Segen#), and whose performance of a thunderstorm was a highlight of the evening for many of the audience.

An equally wide repertoire saw the performances of the Malvern Male Voice Choir range from the quiet intensity of ‘Love Could I only Tell Thee’ to the rousing chorus of ‘Do you hear the People Sing?’, a sound that the Priory seemed to echo back.

The concert also brought a guest performance from Trumpeter Charlotte Ellis, who not only reminded us of Malvern’s Elgar connection, but brought something altogether more modern from her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama: Vizzutti’s Second Trumpet Sonata.

What both choirs embody is a love of music and of bringing that music to as many people as possible, of whatever nationality. Be it rock classic, spiritual of America’s Deep South, pop number, choral anthem or folk song, these singers bring their all, and the joint numbers proved that no matter who you are, a singer is a singer, and will do their best to raise the roof!

Together, performers and audience alike found that a May evening can indeed be brought to life with song, good cheer, and good company.