St Andrew's and St George's West Church is one of those special places in the life of the Fringe where there's a programme of reliably good classical music. But when it is the Church's own choir performing not only do they have to show their mettle as hosts and set a standard, but are bound to have a solid following from church members and friends. So it was.
What better than a church choir singing well known uplifting religious music in church. There's no time during a church service and not everybody wants to attend a full scale concert. So we were fortunate to hear Vivaldi's Gloria sung in Latin. Sopranos Frances Cooper and Dorothea Harris, teacher and former pupil, were the first to step forward and then Frances was shortly singing on her own. Carole Clarke, mezzo-soprano, had her two turns too. All three excelled. Frances' Domine Deus and Carole's Qui sedes ad dextral Partis were particularly memorable.
Three trumpeters joined the George Street Players for three works by Handel. The first a short Sinfonia from Solomon, Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, was followed by the lengthier My heart is inditing. They finished with part of Zadok the Priest.
Uplifting indeed, and all credit to Brigitte Harris, daughter and husband.