MUSIC

Seasonal treat

by Mahes Perera

In this Christmas season of Carols, Metho Cantanti, a choir of past pupils of Methodist College, Colombo, under the direction of Manique Abeyratne stand out in their performance. Their show at the Taj Samudra, Latitude Lobby, two days before Christmas day was an unexpected surprise. The choir was well knit and well controlled. They sang a program of twenty two songs - which included oft sung carols and songs by pop singers, who hit the high slots with their respective versions.

The program started off with the well loved Joy To The World and the choir went through the twenty two songs in three part and four part harmony ending their performance with a rollicking version of Felice Navidad. This was the same group that performed last year too but their enthusiasm had not waned.

Four new songs were introduced by the Director Manique apart from the popular Mistletoe and Wine a hit of Cliff Richard's, Last Christmas, a Wham favourite and Mariah Carey's All I want Is You. The soloists did not fail to entertain the audience. Kosala Mayen sang an exciting and well arranged Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, while Alagi Perera did emotional justice to the ballad Mary Did You Know. Not to be left out was Rebecca Surenthiraj's version of Christmas Lullaby.

Manique Abeyratne was happy with the singing by the girls. Her favourites that evening she said were the interpretations of Carol of the Bells and Santa Claus is Coming To Town. Not that the choir did not sing the other songs well.

Manique said she had rearranged eighteen of the songs to give the audience a new outlook to the well known carols. She had the choir rehearsing from September for the many gigs they had to fulfil and was happy with their ready co-operation at the rehearsals.

Next year in January the choir will be featured in guest spot for the 150th Anniversary celebrations of Methodist College and also they will be showcased in the schools choir concert in June 2016.

Pix: Sulochana Gamage