Exeter, UK Monday 27th July & Christchurch 28th July 2015

[Surpinto]

No, you're right, there are two newbies in the group shot. There have been quite a few as seen across recent, multiple photos. Some may even have been with Libera a little while but may not be singing in concerts yet.

[dani]

It's so funny as 5 years ago I would of been able to name about 98% of the choir and looking at them photos I can only name Camden . And even when I see group photos I very rarely know who is who . I would now say I know less than 50% of the choir .

[mbbrose]

I hope everyone who is attending the Exeter concert within the hour has a great time!!! Looking forward to hearing about it

[JimmyRiddle]

Looks like the ticket price as been more than justified with 'Mysterium', 'Voca Me' and the welcome return of the impressive 'Dreaming of Home' and 'Sacris Solemnis' this thanks to 'Dani' & 'Yuki' who shared it on twitter/facebook. Sometimes it can feel cold and draughty, sometimes the pews are uncomfortable to sit on and a pillar might be in the way, but for the pure acoustics alone nothing will convince me otherwise that a cathedral/church brings out the best in Libera. Congrats to those with the lucky tickets!

[mbbrose]

I saw in the program posted that Raoul Neumann is playing French horn!

[Surpinto]

It sure sounds like it was an excellent concert! The tweets were very informative to read, thank you Yuki and Dani. Now come on, people, post a proper, long form review already. If FDL was there we would already have had the full dissertation by now . Come on come on!

[mbbrose]

It sure sounds like it was an excellent concert! The tweets were very informative to read, thank you Yuki and Dani. Now come on, people, post a proper, long form review already. If FDL was there we would already have had the full dissertation by now . Come on come on!

I second that!! Come on dissertation!

[dani]

I will give a few facts as I am dyslexic so I am sure nobody wants to read a long post off me . Yorkie and Patrick are better at those

The concert was simply amazing , a lot of the boys are on top form and it showed . Stand out performances for me was Danny Boy , Mysterium and Sacris Solemnis ( it was great to have these two back on a set list )

Alessandro did the solo for Mysterium , How Great Thou Art and Wayfaring but Lucus did both of the solos for How Shall I Sing That majesty . Alex M is now doing the high parts on Salva and Voca Me.

Merlin did the solo part for Stay With Me and he was really composed for such a young child and he did it wonderfully . Lucus I think did the high notes on this but he was the other side of the stage of me so I am not 100% sure .

A new song which I have not heard Libera perform before was "Nearer My God To Thee" which was not on the set list . Neither was Danny Boy or Lullaby which was also performed. A wonderful world was the encore.

So some small little tit bits

ETA - Voca and Salva the high parts were done from the balcony above us

[john45]

Thanks Dani.
What a pleasure it was to see and hear Libera back in its natural environment – a magnificent medieval cathedral. Of course, Libera sounds great wherever it performs (no sports stadiums please) but nothing beats the acoustics and ambience of a great cathedral.
I will just mention the new and revived items.
First a most welcome return of Sacris Solemnis which I last saw performed live at Dublin in 2009. Based on Beethoven’s 7th , the sweeping crescendos and exquisite harmonies make this a soul stirring piece.
Then came Mysterium. I think last performed at Guildford in 2013. No hoods this time but beautifully performed by Alessandro. The solo version (as with Ed Day) is excellent – but I think the duet version (Stefan/Ralph, Dylan/Lucas) allows for a more dramatic presentation.
Not mentioned in the program was a surprise new a capella version of “Nearer My God to Thee”. Beautifully led by Alessandro and Isaac, it was supported, I think, by Sam, Ciaran and either Lucas or Alex M. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. As with "Danny Boy" the a capella performances confirm the exceptional talent of the choristers
Finally a welcome return of “Stay with Me” and I echo Dani’s praise for the magical performance by Merlin. He has been doing a great job on the descant for Sanctus for some months now but this was his first full solo, confidently and accurately delivered with a very pleasing and clear voice. Well done Merlin!
Should also mention the staging for Voca Me and Salve Me. Alex Montaro, illuminated by a purple spotlight, sang the high parts standing about 30 feet above the ground on top of the medieval screen housing the organ and separating the nave from the quire.Very effective.
The Exeter audience was very appreciative and gave two enthusiastic standing ovations.

Looking forward to Christchurch Priory this evening. The Priory is a 12th century building about 200 years older than the Cathedral. The central nave is narrower, seating only 12 in each row compared with 20 at Exeter. A full house (not counting the side aisles) will probably only amount to about 350 compared with over 600 at Exeter.

[alcesalcesobservator]

Thanks Dani.
What a pleasure it was to see and hear Libera back in its natural environment – a magnificent medieval cathedral. Of course, Libera sounds great wherever it performs (no sports stadiums please) but nothing beats the acoustics and ambience of a great cathedral.
I will just mention the new and revived items.
First a most welcome return of Sacris Solemnis which I last saw performed live at Dublin in 2009. Based on Beethoven’s 7th , the sweeping crescendos and exquisite harmonies make this a soul stirring piece.
Then came Mysterium. I think last performed at Guildford in 2013. No hoods this time but beautifully performed by Alessandro. The solo version (as with Ed Day) is excellent – but I think the duet version (Stefan/Ralph, Dylan/Lucas) allows for a more dramatic presentation.
Not mentioned in the program was a surprise new a capella version of “Nearer My God to Thee”. Beautifully led by Alessandro and Isaac, it was supported, I think, by Sam, Ciaran and either Lucas or Alex M. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong. As with "Danny Boy" the a capella performances confirm the exceptional talent of the choristers
Finally a welcome return of “Stay with Me” and I echo Dani’s praise for the magical performance by Merlin. He has been doing a great job on the descant for Sanctus for some months now but this was his first full solo, confidently and accurately delivered with a very pleasing and clear voice. Well done Merlin!
Should also mention the staging for Voca Me and Salve Me. Alex Montaro, illuminated by a purple spotlight, sang the high parts standing about 30 feet above the ground on top of the medieval screen housing the organ and separating the nave from the quire.Very effective.
The Exeter audience was very appreciative and gave two enthusiastic standing ovations.

Looking forward to Christchurch Priory this evening. The Priory is a 12th century building about 200 years older than the Cathedral. The central nave is narrower, seating only 12 in each row compared with 20 at Exeter. A full house (not counting the side aisles) will probably only amount to about 350 compared with over 600 at Exeter.

Argh! I was I could have been there! I love Dreaming of Home and Sacris Solemnis, and Nearer my God to Thee is a great favourite of mine. Also, the staging for Voca me sounds fabulous. Thanks for the review!

[Sanctus]

Amazing concert ! Will try to do a more detailed review but stand out performances for me were stay with me and nearer my God to thee sung a Capella by Isaac , Alessandro, Alex M , Camden and Sam . It was so beautiful and set such a great atmosphere ! The audience didn't want to ruin it so hesitated to clap ! In stay with me every one was smiling and Lucas and merlin did great jobs ! Speeches by newbie Tadgh , Ben , ciaran, Alessandro, Alex G and Cassius (I think that's it and they did the different languages speech )
NOTE : there is a new part in "stay with me" in maybe the second verse when merlin was singing , a few boys: Alessandro , Marc , Timothy, Sam , Matthew M , Alex (correct me if I'm wrong) accompanied him singing different oohs and ahs that harmonised very nicely !

[Surpinto]

Thank you for the reviews so far, everyone. It sounds like they were terrific concerts . I wish I had been there!

By the way, has everyone heard this radio interview from the 26th that Jimmy Riddle has shared on twitter? I hope he doesn't mind that I share it at this forum. He does such a great job of finding, saving, and sharing these clips with us. Thank you, Jimmy!

http://chirb.it/0ddzkw

Listen for Taichi getting a bit rambunctious, talking about his "enemies"

[maartendas]

Thanks everyone for the reviews so far!
I'm proud of all the new boys doing such a good job. Great to hear there were new songs on the setlist and that they tried some different staging. Exciting to read about and it must be extra fun for the boys that way.
Also, it must be a really cool experience for them to be performing in amazing old buildings like that. Glad to hear the audience responses were so good.
Well done everyone!

p.s.: john45 I didn't know (or forgot) you were also in Dublin in 2009 - that was my first Libera concert! Unforgettable night

[Yorkie]

Just to update the thread with the songs & list of the boys who were in attendance:

Boys:

1. Marc Alvares
2. Shay Balsekar
3. Leo Barron
4. Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey
5. Merlin Brouwer
6. Benedict Bywater
7. Gabriel Collins
8. Kavana Crossley
9. Thomas Delgado-Little
10. Tadhg Fitzgerald
11. Alex Gula
12. Adam Izghouti
13. Matthew Jansen
14. Timothy Lee
15. Isaac London
16. Matthew Madine
17. Alessandro MacKinnon-Botti
18. James Menezes
19. Michael Menezes
20. Alex Montoro
21. Oliver Mycka
22. Cassius O'Connell-White
23. Taichi Shinokubo **only performed at Christchurch**
24. Camden Stewart
25. Rocco Tesei
26. Mark Ustynovych-Repa
27. Joseph Walshe
28. Sam Wiggin
29. Lucas Wood

Set List:

1. Joyful, Joyful
2. Sanctus
3. Amazing Grace
4. Voca Me
5. The Prayer
6. Sacris Solemnis
7. Lullabye
8. Song of Life
9. Salva Me
10. Danny Boy
11. Exultate
12. Mysterium -
13. Orinoco Flow
14. How Great Thou Art
15. Dreaming of Home
16. O For the Wings of a Dove
17. Wayfaring Stranger
18. Stay With Me
19. Nearer My God to Thee
20. How Shall I Sing That Majesty

Encore - Wonderful World

[john45]

You missed out "Lullaby".