THIS was the first joint venture by these two groups, and it augured well for any future collaboration.

Solos, duets and chorus numbers from the likes of Mascagni, Verdi, Lehar, Offenbach, Bizet and Rossini formed the bulk of the programme, with additional contributions from the talented Diane Gulliford Dancers. The concert was compered by John Kilduff and accompanied on piano by Patricia Bonnelli and, in certain numbers, by Anita O’Brien on violin.

Although the ladies considerably outnumbered the men and the average age was, to be truthful, not young, the company nevertheless produced a very impressive ensemble sound and proved to have a considerable number of fine soloists whose vocal ability was well matched by their stage presence.

There was much humour in Liz Senior and Stephen Adams’ Violin Duet from Orpheus In The Underworld, and Rossini’s Cat Duet was, in the paws of Pauline Hall and Rita Spicer, the cat’s whiskers. In more serious vein, Karen Wells excelled in Senta’s Ballad from The Flying Dutchman, while Pauline Mansfield and Diane Worthy blended beautifully in the duet from Lakme - and there could hardly have been a more fitting climax to the evening than Malcolm Cuthbert’s powerful rendition of Nessun Dorma.
Sleep? I didn’t even doze.