The 1,177th lunchtime recital since taking over from the council in 2001 featured Rochdale’s own Phoenix Opera Company.
Established in 1977 with the merger of Kirkholt G&S Society and Rochdale Intimate Opera Group it represents the borough’s rich tradition of amateur operatic and dramatic performance.
But first, for starters we had a set of solo songs, all sensitively accompanied by Elaine Marsden: ‘Fair Robin I Love’ delivered with panache by Anne Butteworth, an enthusiastic ‘Someday’ (Hunchback of Notre Dame) from Jane Reynolds, two poignant tenor solos by Quilter and Munro from Gerard Marsden, and ‘The Hours creep on a pace’ (HMS Pinafore) with appropriate dramatic fervour by Susan Fletcher.
Then it was ‘on with the motley’, as the assembled company delivered extracts from ‘The Gondoliers’.
There were outstanding individual performances and a hearty chorus, all of which was under the capable baton of Jonathan Gibson with excellent accompaniment from the second guest accompanist, Isobel Richie-Ingham.
A concert performance can often miss the dramatic effect of costumes and sets of the stage, but the excitement of the theatre was not lost and the superb acoustics of St Mary in the Baum helped make up for any disadvantages.
Andrew Sutcliffe & Chorus set the mood and Stella Whitehouse, Lynn Lee, Lawrence Shoebridge, Barrie Brailsford, Steven Miller developed the plot. Then in ‘Bridegroom and Bride’ the Chorus came into their own, and in complementing Julie Sutcliffe in the familiar ‘When a merry maiden marries’ brought the opera to life. Varied solo voices helped the realism in the Finale of Act 2, with Stella Whitehouse, Susan Fletcher, Julie Sutcliffe, Penny Lydiate, Abigail Rhodes, Brent Andrews, Barrie Brailsford, Steven Miller.
Then, extracts from ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ anticipated their 2027 repertoire, the company further aided by Stella Whitehouse, David Edwards and Gerard Marsden and others.
The show was narrated and directed by Jonathan Gibson who has does a great job developing his team’s ensemble work.
Next show: ‘The Gondoliers’ at St Aidan’s Church, Manchester Road, Sudden, OL11 3EL, Wednesday 15 April to 17 April 2026, Saturday 18 April 2026 2.30 pm.
On a sad note, an honorary Life Member, one of the early stalwarts of the groups from even before their merger, Irene Purdy, passed away on 2nd March at the age of 104. Pianist, teacher, deputy head, drama critic, JP, and a lovely person, she will be sadly missed.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade 1 listed church of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
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