As a fitting sequel to a very successful performance of Haydn's "Creation" in St. James' Concert Hall, the Guernsey Choral & Orchestral Society set off to France for a repeat performance in St. Vincents' Cathedral, St. Malo, to try and capture the atmosphere and audience response generated the week before in Guernsey, and to exercise their abilities in a different and exciting setting with a fresh audience.

The organisation and planning for this whole event began early in the Autumn of 2010 and was a masterpiece of patience and thoughtful preparation from the start, beginning with the choice of music, by the Conductor, Helen Grand. The Vice Chairman, Andrew Boxall, emerged as a very capable leader and clear thinker, with painstaking application to the task aided by his select sub-committee which, in the event proved to be so much more than a concert in a different place. It was a cultural and culinary treat exploring all that is good in French hospitality.

James Henderson took the place of the entire Orchestra on the organ, and provided the continuo with great skill in unfamiliar surroundings, together with three distinguished vocal soloists who had come over specially from the UK.

First impressions of the setting were enhanced by arriving early in the morning at the Cathedral to see the sun streaming into the sombre Nave though the beautiful Rose window, throwing light and cheer into the cavernous 12th Century building. Then the wonderful sound of the organ filling the vault was heard together with the voices, Professional and Amateur, being returned, as if to sender, echoing throughout the vast interior. The rest of the morning was spent enjoying the Cafe life and the pleasure of the elevated walk around the ramparts, and the magnificent views from them.

In the afternoon before the concert we had a rehearsal, getting the seating right to the point that buttock size was taken into account so that no one would fall off the benches, and everyone could fit - it was quite a squeeze! The result was that most people could see and watch the conductor, rather better than in St. James, and entries were notably better.

The Concert started at 9 pm, by which time the Cathedral was nearly full. Helen Grand took the stand and we rose to baton confident that we had worked hard and long to the last syllable and enjoyed the process. We were treated to the glorious sound of the soloists and choir singing together as one, culminating with tumultuous applause from the audience and a standing ovation until an encore was modestly provided . It was every bit as good and more as before... "and on the Seventh Day" a triumph !

Mike Mowbray