2002, Mendelsson's Elijah


Towards the end of 2001 Graham and Ian had been contacted by Preston Symphony Orchestra, asking to organise a concert performance of an opera with EMO. With EMO no longer functioning, the orchestra was asked if they'd be interested in a performance of Elijah with DVS, and were delighted to accept. This was also an exciting prospect for the choir.

On Mother's Day, Graham and Raymond Khong joined the orchestra for some excerpts from Die Fledermaus, which proved very popular. However, the orchestra felt their voices weren't big enough to cope with the large forces arrayed against them, and encouraged us to audition professional soloists for Elijah.

Thirty-six singers auditioned for the professional soloist positions. Being the first time we had employed professional soloists, there was some contention when some took up the offer to do unpaid performances to assist them prepare for the orchestral performance. Soloists were Robert Arndt, Carmela de Losinno, Teresa Fanning and Matthew Davine. Teresa was singing full-time with Opera Australia, but would be in Melbourne at the time. The only member of DVS to get a solo was Susanna Wailes, who was to sing the part of the Youth. Other performances were scheduled at Greensborough, East Ivanhoe, Ballarat (where Robert Arndt came from) and Ormond.

There were also a few ensembles for local soloists, and there was some time spent at rehearsal sorting these out. Rehearsals were unusual with a shortage of sopranos, but plenty of basses. Ken was unavailable to play, so another organist was employed, who turned up to the first rehearsal without having looked at the music, and struggled. He then complained that Ian gave him a hard time and quit! Just as well really. Eventually we found Rhys Boak, who was excellent, but he wasn't available for all performances, so Graham had to conduct while Ian played.

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For Elijah the choir uniform was changed for the first time since we started; open neck black shirts and pants for men and black tops and skirts with a pastel coloured scarf for women.

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At Greensborough, we had about fifty in the audience, more than the choir, and Ian played the piano while Graham conducted and Steven Touzel sang Elijah. Rhys came to the performance to have a listen, and then called at Williamstown to have a look at the organ, to find it wouldn't cope with Elijah. Though a very good organ, it couldn't manage sudden dynamic changes, so we used the piano again.

Unfortunately this was the performance where Graham was doing Elijah, so Graeme Wall was employed to conduct. Only thirty-six turned up to sing at Williamstown, but there was a big audience. We had the same number at Ballarat the next day where Robert Arndt sang Elijah. Rhys did play for the performances at East Ivanhoe and Ormond, which Ian conducted.

At the performance at Ormond we also had some drama. Someone helped themselves to some handbags while everyone was singing in the church, one with $1500 in it. Fortunately it was covered by the church's insurance, but a few stayed behind to look for things. The police found the handbags the next day, and the $1500 was still there though other money and items were missing.

The highlight of the year was the Elijah performance with the orchestra conducted by Christopher Kopke. Unfortunately Darren arrived with a sore throat, and another tenor had to be swung into the double quartet. The Preston Town Hall was full and it was a real buzz. Though the forty-voice choir felt it couldn't be heard (it's hard to judge behind an orchestra), the balance was quite good. The large audience was thrilled, and it was a rewarding experience for all.

These history notes have been kindly provided by our long-term artistic director and co-founder, Graham Ford.

Oratorios, 2000'sSteve WilkieMendelsson, 2002