On Sunday 1st December, I was privileged to attend the Notable Works presentation of ‘Bach & Handel Christmas Favourites’ at St John’s Church, Parnell Street, Waterford.

The setting at St John’s was awe-inspiring. St John’s Church was built around 1845 in a Gothic Revival style with impressive exterior and interior architecture and magnificent stained-glass windows. The acoustics were excellent and blended well with the Bach & Handel works.

The Notable Works Chorus were truly sublime and the Waterford Concert Orchestra were tremendous. The Conductor was Dr Kevin O’Carroll who should be commended for his arrangement. The professional standard of the choir and orchestra had to be heard to be believed – it was an amazing performance.

The soloists Bridget Knowles (contralto), Andrew Gavin (tenor) and Eoin Power (bass-baritone) opened the audience’s eyes and ears to the rich sound of Bach and Handel, in my mind the greatest of the Baroque composers. Their delivery varied from sonorous to delicate and graceful and the strength and talent from each one of them was superb.

I’d very much like to have the opportunity to hear the Notable Works Chorus and Waterford Concert Orchestra again and I will certainly be back to St John’s Church to examine the architecture more closely. Overall a fabulous evening – well done to all concerned!