Kendal South Choir, St Thomas's Church

Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise got off to a flying start thanks to the expertise at the organ of Ian Pattinson. The rousing chorus which followed set the programme in good stead, though not all watched the conductor.

What followed in this piece was sensitively sung with good light and shade - indeed some joyous singing and the best rendition of this work I have heard to date. Clear, crisp singing by the two sopranos: Emily Robinson (whose voice I have often enjoyed) and Fiona Weakley - new to me but equally enjoyable. The solo line-up was completed by the welcome return of Christopher Steele (tenor) – always good value to any ensemble – and took The Sorrows of Death by the scruff of the neck: excellent.

The Night is Departing was not quite together, but was more than made up for in the following Let all Men Praise the Lord, which contained the tune to the popular hymn, Now Thank we all our God.

Following the interval we were treated to some fine singing, especially from the gentlemen of the chorus, with two English anthems: Bairstow's Blessed City, Heavenly Salem and Wesley's Blessed be the God and Father. This was followed by three duets for soprano by Handel – none recognisable by title, but all recognisable by tune. Then came Vaughan Williams' Toward the Unknown Region. The choir performed this about two years ago with the Westmorland Orchestra and it had lost none of its pace and musicality – quite a difficult work to learn.

Finally, two tenor arias: Verdi's Questa o quella and Un di all'azzurro spazio by Giordano and sung with great gusto. Then two opera choruses: Rossini's Prayer and The Easter Hymn by Mascagni. What a way to close a show - I was transported! Thanks to the conductor, Ian Thompson, for steering the choir through such a well-balanced programme.

Christine Moore