Waverley Singers

The following article appeared in the local press on 5 December in advance of the concert.

Bach's Oratorio for Christmas

The story of Christmas is to be told in its most glorious musical form when Bach's Christmas Oratorio is performed at the Farnham Maltings on Saturday, December 20th, at 7:30 pm by the Waverley Singers and Orchestra.

For the Waverley Singers and for their conductor, John Cotterill, this event will conclude a most successful jubilee year, which has already seen a performance of Brahms' Missa Solemnis (to celebrate 25 years since the choir was formed in 1955) and a gala evening of operatic highlights with Teresa Cahill and Brian* Burrows as distinguished soloists. Both these concerts were played to full houses, and it looks as if every seat in the Maltings will also be filled for the forthcoming occasion. Many people will recall the choir's performance there two years ago of Handel's Messiah, sold out long beforehand, and will have booked early to be certain of not missing what is sure to be another memorable event.

There are some tickets still available, however, and these can be purchased from the Maltings Box Office, Farnham, GU9 725, at £2.50 or £1.75.

Young soloists

One of the particular pleasures of the concert will be the participation of four young soloists, Helen Kucharek (soprano), Nicola Lanzetter (mezzo), Philip Salmon (tenor), and John Hancorn, who are two winners of the South East Arts Young Musicians Platform 1980, and all four have had very promising starts to their careers.

Helen Kucharek made her London debut in 1978 with the Tilford Bach Choir and Orchestra and has appeared several times since on the South Bank as a soloist. She studied at the Royal College of Music with Edgar Evans and has had such diverse opportunities as touring Holland and Belgium with "The world of Gilbert and Sullivan".

Nicola Lanzetter studied with Marjorie Thomas at the Royal Academy of Music and is now studying with Rudolf Piernay. She made her debut at the Royal Festival Hall in May last year, singing with the Bach Choir conducted by Sir David Willcocks, and has also given a solo recital at the Purcell Room. 

Former St Paul's chorister

Philip Salmon began as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral Choir School before entering the Royal College of Music, where he is studying with Edgar Evans. His debut at the Royal Albert Hall was in 1978, and he has sung also at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Philip Salmon has sung many times on the continent and, as well as broadcasting on Radio Three, he has been heard on Swiss, German and Italian radio networks.

The highlight of John Hancorn's career so far has been the principal role in the 1979 Aldeburgh Festival production of "Eugene Onegin", conducted by Rostropovich. A graduate of Trinity College of Music, his engagements have included a performance of the St John Passion with Sir Peter Pearce at the Maltings, Snape, and this season he is singing in the Messiah at the Royal Festival Hall.

With these young soloists, the known qualities of the Waverley Singers, and such great music, the occasion should provide a memorable prelude to Christmas. 

* The review article mistakenly had him as Stuart Burrows. 

Splendid Oratorio by Waverley Singers 

The review below from the Farnham Herald of 2 January 1981 states that the choir contained over 100 singers.

It also contains a well-aimed swipe at "the insensitive, ill-mannered, behaviour of a group of people who arrive (sic) late and and walked down the centre aisle of the Maltings, completely distracting the attention of the audience and, no doubt, of the tenor soloist who was in the middle of his first, quiet, intimate recitative." Let's hope that miserable lot read the 'Farnham Herald'!