Concert review - Sir Willard White, CBSO, Lichfield Cathedral

Sir Willard White

CBSO, Lichfield Cathedral

Concert review by John Watson

Sir Willard White, one of the world's most distinguished bass-baritone singers, was an excellent choice as soloist for the opening concert of the 30th Lichfield Festival.

Last night his commanding voice filled the Cathedral in a concert of English music with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Lichfield Festival Chorus.

The William Walton oratorio Belshazzar's Feast is a dark tale of sacrilege in Babylon and was at one time banned from some choral festivals in cathedrals.

Sir Willard's magnificently dark tones projected the underlying menace of the work perfectly – but it was the sheer zest of the Festival Chorus, directed by Chi Hoe Mak, which made the performance so thrilling.

It would be unreasonable to expect a technically perfect performance from a community choir but the singers' musical exuberance was a joy to hear.

And the orchestra, conducted by the versatile John Wilson, opened the concert in sparkling style.

The festival, with jazz, folk music and art exhibitions as well as classical music, runs to July 17.