Review: Meibion Elli fifth anniversary concert

 Review: Meibion Elli at Greenfield Chapel, with special guests The Phil Harmonics and West End star Samuel Wyn-Morris.

 

LLANELLI male voice choir Meibion Elli celebrated their fifth anniversary with a special concert staged at Greenfield Chapel in the town centre.

Meibion Elli choir are growing in numbers under the direction of D Eifion Thomas and accompanist Aled Maddock.

The anniversary concert proved to be a memorable and inspiring evening of fine choral singing, mixed in with superb solo performances.

Meibion Elli’s growing reputation for musical excellence was underscored by a programme of various musical styles which appealed to the large audience in Greenfield Chapel.

John Thomas, David Williams (Dai Llansaint) and Alan Owen were the choir’s three featured soloists.

Special mention must be made of the choir’s inspirational blockbuster performance of the Finale to Act 3 of Verdi’s Nabucco (The Slaves’ Chorus), with John Thomas featuring in the role of Zachariah.

Baritone John also moved many members of the audience to tears with his emotional solo during Precious Lord.

Llanelli ladies choir The Phil Harmonics were Meibion Elli’s guests for the evening, performing under the direction of Sarah Mair Richards and accompanied by Phillip Thomas.

Delivered with obvious joy, their programme was greatly appreciated. There were splendid performances from the two featured soloists, Sara Owen and Hazel Jones.

The icing on the cake was the appearance of Llanelli’s very own West End star, Samuel Wyn-Morris.

Sam, accompanied by Stewart Roberts, showed how his West End and international tour experience has added great depth to his singing. His performance of Bring Him Home (from Les Miserables) was captivating in its feeling and intensity.

The concert reached a stirring climax with both choirs and Sam joining forces to deliver a memorable rendition of the prayer from the musical Carousel, You’ll Never Walk Alone.

Meibion Elli choristers deserve a round of applause for a concert which illustrated the depth of singing talent in Llanelli. We can only hope for more of these dazzling concerts in Llanelli.