Opera Gala

Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork

CORK soprano, Majella Cullagh, Australian tenor, Julian Gavin, and Welsh pianist, Philip Thomas, were the latest star performers in what for me was the least impressive concert of these splendid presentations. Baritone, Nyle Wolfe, was the genial, informative concert presenter, and the newly-formed CIT CSM Vocal Chamber Ensemble, which was accompanied by Beth Ann Lee and conducted by Fearghal O’Connor, provided choral items.

The chamber choir opened both halves of the programme with lively, accurate, pleasantly-toned choruses from Smetana’s Bartered Bride and Mozart’s Abduction from the Seraglio. Va Pensiero was not a good choice for such a small group but they added considerably to the atmosphere in the ensemble version of Stephen Adams’ Holy City towards the end of the programme.