08/05/2024
SAMSON - THE EXPERIENCE FROM THE AUDIENCE
It is believed in some native cultures that long hair is a physical manifestation of the growth of the spirit, and some say it allows for extra sensory perception and connection to all things. Having long hair myself, and having had it cut very short, against my will, at a young age, I can certainly feel a sense of that, and so it was with interest that I discovered that local choir, Village Voices, were performing Handel’s Samson at All Saints Church in Brixworth as their Easter offering.
While I drive around locally, the tall spire of Brixworth church lends me a sense of
location and direction, so I was delighted to take the opportunity to actually go inside for the first time.
Growing up in London, I am well accustomed to unusual architecture, and it was with surprise that I walked up the path towards the West End to see an external stair turret. It’s one of only four in England which explains why I’ve never seen anything like it before. Inside, the quiet serenity of the high wooden arches supported the acoustics of the musicians, soloists and choir below, allowing the beautiful sounds they created to really reach and stretch.
As a traditional storyteller I’m always interested in creative ways to share a narrative, and Handel’s musical rendition of the story of Samson begins with the Philistines’ Feast of Dagon with Samson already bereft of hair and sight.
Village Voices Director Ian Clarke’s inclusion of Northamptonshire’s Nick Bunker,
Principal Trumpet with Northampton Symphony Orchestra was inspired. Lending
weight to the festival sounds of the Chorus as they celebrated the crowning of Dagon, a god worshipped in and around ancient Syria, it was difficult to believe that there were only four instrumentalists accompanying.
As an admirer of Organist Richard Dunster-Sigtermans since the previous Village
Voices concert I attended, I was fascinated to watch Ian and Richard communicating via mirror. And they never missed a beat. The depth and interest created by the combination of Corinne Malitskie’s Cello, with Ian’s Harpsichord really captured the emotions of this oratorio, so well performed by the members of the Chorus.
As a member of a local choir, I know and appreciate how much work each individual puts in to study and perform these wonderful musical challenges, whilst continuing with all the stresses and strains of busy lives.
For me, of the four soloists, Mezzo Soprano Myrna Tennant was outstanding. Being an Alto myself I guess I might be a little biased. Anna Gregg, Soprano as Dalila, Fionn Ó hAlmhain, Bass as Samson’s father Manoa, and young Tenor Richard Jackson as Samson contributed a beautiful texture to the accomplished choir and outstanding musicians.
All lead us through the painful struggles that Samson faced in his weakened,
sightless state, culminating with the re growth of his hair, and the return of his spirit and strength. I am actually in awe of Ian Clark’s ambitions for this small local chorus. He and they delivered yet again.
There’s something intangible, that reaches across the centuries, when we combine ancient story, baroque music and instruments with modern voices in an early Saxon sacred space.
The singing of the chorus for the death and funeral of Samson was so poignant.
But there was no time for lamentation as the chorus lifted us in a blaze of light as
choir, soloists and instrumentalists unite in Handel’s strident finale.
If you haven’t seen them yet, I would highly recommend an evening with the
ambitious and innovative Village Voices. And if you want to sing with them, they are hosting their summer workshop on Sunday 23rd June in Old Village Hall.
Theresa Kelleher
