CHORALISSIMO 8 – 11 May 2025

The Choralissimo Recital included solos, duets and vocal ensembles from a selection of great choral works. Music Director Jason Balla was joined by pianist Kyoko Takashima and singers Allison Cormack, Rosemary Galton, Rosie McAllister, Saul Gibney and Ed Smith.

The Lunchtime Recital was the perfect prelude to the weekend’s exciting Gala Concerts of choral and orchestral music from some of the greatest choral masterpieces ever written.

Nelson Civic Choir with orchestra and soloists under Director Jason Balla presented this exhilarating programme at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts.

In the weekend Gala Concerts, the full choir pulled out all the stops with a collection of magnificent choruses. The choir was joined by soloists Allison Cormack, Erica Sim, Saul Gibney and Edward Smith, and a large orchestra led by Concertmaster John Thomson to present a programme packed with beauty, passion and vibrant musical energy. Audiences were presented with music expressing emotions ranging from anger to despair, laughter to love, sorrow to joy and ecstasy to elation all wrapped in exquisite melodies and rich harmonies. Works included excerpts from Orff’s Carmina Burana, Requiem Masses by Mozart and Fauré, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and Haydn’s Creation.