When the Cathedral resonated with the sounds of Hallelujah!
View(s):
Noted
Imagine Handel’s soul stirring Hallelujah Chorus sung by some 330 voices. That was the soaring finale to the ‘Festival of Choirs’ held at the Cathedral of Christ the Living Saviour on Saturday, June 24.
Twelve of Colombo’s leading choirs had come together for ‘Hallelujah!’ – a special evening of music which was being held in celebration of the Anglican Cathedral’s 50th anniversary, and as one long-time member of the Cathedral congregation Sriyantha Senaratne put it, it was simply the best he had heard over the past 40 years at the church.
Presented by the Cathedral’s choir, with choir director Ishan de Lanerolle orchestrating and conceptualizing the event, ‘Hallelujah!’ the Festival of Choirs saw the participating choirs each presenting one item, interspersed by Bible readings by comperes Savitri Rodrigo and Kumar de Silva.
Asteria. Pix by Eshan Fernando
Some choirs had chosen the solemn and sacred from the Anglican church’s extensive canon of music, others more upbeat offerings, but they were all sung with joy, passion and belief, the outpouring of song resonating through and up to the Cathedral’s austere high vaulted interiors, beautifully illuminated for the occasion.
The crowd was unprecedented – given that 12 of Colombo’s leading choirs were coming together, over 2,000 people streamed in and long before the official start time of 6.30.
The Bishop’s College PPA Choir
The invited choirs – many comprised of past students of schools like Ladies’ College, Bishop’s College, Methodist College, St Peter’s College, St. Benedict’s and St. Joseph’s and others like the Menaka Singers, Noted and the Revelations (back just for this occasion) were wholly enthusiastic about the event. “We resurrected the Revelations,” Sanjeev Jayaratnam quipped and no doubt, that was greatly appreciated as the all-male group that had been such a hit in the 90s and for more than a decade thereafter delivered a powerfully moving rendition of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
It was also heartening to see the wealth of vocal talent –from the very young voices to the older members of the LG Singers – founded in 1962 by that legendary baritone Lylie Godridge and today directed by his son Willie.
The Hallelujah Chorus: Ishan de Lanerolle conducting all the choirs
Ishan de Lanerolle is quietly delighted at the response to the Festival of Choirs and in particular to the Hallelujah Chorus. No mean feat, this, conducting 330 choristers from 12 choirs who were singing this celebrated piece of music with just one brief practice before the event. But he had a clear idea of exactly what he wanted and praises the professionalism of the singers and accompanists Neranjan de Silva on the organ and Neomal Weerakoon on the timpani who responded brilliantly to his direction.
“ Our ministry is through our voices,” Ishan says acknowledging with gratitude the choirs who so readily joined in the Festival of Choirs giving those gathered at the Cathedral a memorable and spiritual experience.
The choirs (in order of performance) were: Ladies’ College OGA Choir, Noted, Choro Benedicte, Bishop’s College PPA Choir, the Menaka Singers, the Peterite Chorale, Asteria, the Lylie Godridge Singers, Metho Cantati, the Old Joes’ Choir, the Cathedral Choir, Sangeeth and the Revelations.
Searching for an ideal partner? Find your soul mate on Hitad.lk, Sri Lanka's favourite marriage proposals page. With Hitad.lk matrimonial advertisements you have access to thousands of ads from potential suitors who are looking for someone just like you.