In what is turning out to be another great King’s Lynn Festival summer season, the King’s Lynn Festival Chorus and European Union Chamber Orchestra concert is definitely one of the highlights so far.

Performing two great works together in the concert, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the first half, and Handel’s first choral masterpiece Dixit Dominus in the second, was program planning inspiration, in my opinion!

The large and enthusiastic audience filled St. Nicholas Chapel, Lynn, and enjoyed the four seasons performed by the EU Chamber Orchestra, conducted by violinist Adrian Butterfield. The game was elegant, with appropriate decoration and the contrasts in the music, reflecting the changing seasons and the mood well highlighted.

Handel’s arrangement of Psalm 110, composed when Handel was just 22 years old in 1707, is a very old choral piece and was written to impress the musical establishment in Rome, where it remained for three years. The work, one of my favorites, is technically accomplished, perfectly efficient and very much in the prevailing popular Italian style.

Ben Horden conducted a suitably robust rendition of the work with dramatic contributions from the choir and beautifully sensitive vocals from soprano soloists Jennifer Colman and Louise Fuller.

The contribution of the EU Chamber Orchestra to the performance was excellent, not so easy to achieve when a large choir is involved!

Yes, another highlight of the Festival, with distinguished professional musicians performing and the welcome participation of talented local individuals and groups. The event was sponsored by Professor Keith and Mrs. Elizabeth Rix.

Andy Tyler