The Christmas spirit was well and truly upon us this past Saturday when Bra-vissima performed its annual Christmas concert to an audience filled with family, friends, and supporters. Our broad programme included a selection of pieces from The Manchester Carols, a festive suite of music and singing which celebrates the birth of Jesus. Themes highlighting human endeavour, the divine made human, love for home and community brought home to us all the stark parallels to the many tensions and numerous conflicts that the world is facing today. A moving experience for all, bolstered by a violin and flute solo, a recorder duet and piano accompanist.
The second half, as is customary brought a lighter side to Christmas with renditions of Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer and a world premiere of The Twelve Dogs of Christmas – a humorous take on ‘The Twelve Days of..’ with rather a lot of canines involved. We were delighted to welcome a group of bell ringers who brought a whole new level of festive cheer to proceedings by accompanying the choir in This Endris Night and performing a Festive Round piece which made us all go Christmas fuzzy inside. With the end of the year fast approaching, we presented representatives of our chosen charity for 2023, Barrow Farm a cheque for £1750.00, an amount graciously accepted; and Bra-vissima are now the proud sponsors of Nicco, a Harlinger pony.
Of course none of what we achieved on Saturday would have been possible without our leader in chief Julia Wilson-James who continues to push us so deftly to greater vocal heights – her enthusiasm, dedication, kindness, and patience is an inspiration to us all. To the choir’s committee, ticket sellers, bar staff, mulled wine stirrers, clearer uppers – to our friends, family and many supporters – Merry Christmas everyone.
