St Augustine’s, Bexhill, Saturday 7 May

Summer music for a Summer evening – and what a lovely evening from both the weather and the singing. Puccini’s Messa di Gloria is an early work and there is little indication of the operatic master that was to follow, but the high-flying tessitura for the tenor certainly hints in that direction. Gary Marriott was un-phased by this, throwing off the long lyrical lines with ease and riding both chorus and orchestra. Barnaby Beer brought warmth to the baritone part and their duet was impressively well balanced.

If the Puccini leans heavily towards mid-period Verdi, Poulenc’s Gloria comes with a burst of mid-twentieth century clarity and freshness. The ethereal writing in the more introspective passages is captivating and Sophie Pullen found a gentle melancholy in these which was absolutely right. The Domine Deus picks this up and the setting seems to work against the overt meaning of the text. It is as if Poulenc is challenging us to re-think an over-familiar liturgy.

The chorus were better balanced than on recent occasions with a stronger male division – important in the exposed lines of the Poulenc – and a good grasp on the dynamics of the works. Kenneth Roberts kept things moving crisply with tight rhythms throughout. I do wonder if there is a need for both chorus and orchestra to warm up for longer before they start? This was not the first occasion on which they settled quickly to produce well focused and accurate sound after a rather unnerving first few bars. It is obvious they sing and play very well but the opening can be challenging for those of us listening. A pity when there is so much fine music-making across the rest of the evening.

The next concert in Haydn’s Creation on Saturday 8 October.