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CHRISTMAS AT LONGBOROUGH

Nestling high in a fold of a Cotswolds hillside, Longborough’s ancient St James’ Church was the perfect venue for a Christmas concert last Sunday celebrating the music-making prowess of young people.

“Christmas at Longborough” effectively showcased the Longborough Youth Chorus, an all-year-round offshoot of the internationally renowned Longborough Festival Opera, and these 33 youngsters covered themselves and their team of mentors (Emma Campbell, David Eaton, Maria Jagusz) with masses of credit.

Everyone knew exactly what they had to do when and where during these 45-minutes proceedings, presented twice, with movement in and out of the choir stalls and onto the front of the chancel beautifully synchronised. This was an impressive display of stage-discipline and memory.

Among the offerings were a range of carols from all over the world, solos both English and international from Longborough Young Artists Jasmine Flicker, Myrna Tennent and Patrick Dow, massed choral readings from Robert Frost (the great American poet who became one of the literary group in nearby Dymock) and local boy Laurie Lee – unfortunately these recitations did not communicate clearly in this unco-operative acoustic). The Evening Prayer from Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel send us away with a poignant foretaste of what is on offer at Longborough Festival Opera next year.

Supporting instrumental contributions came from violinist Oliver Heath, organist Richard Norris and, at the keyboard, music director David Eaton, who, energetic and enthusiastic, even got a packed congregation to divide into multiple parts to sing the round “Christmas is coming”, with the encouragement of helpers from this brilliant youth chorus.

As I write, I am wearing my new Scrooge & Marley Counting House Christmas jumper, but there was nothing Bah, Humbug about this heartening evening. God rest you merry, Gentlemen.

Christopher Morley

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