CALNE Choral, under the leadership of Philip Springate, did justice to what is arguably one of Handel’s greatest creations and much loved oratorio, Messiah.

The 70-strong choir and full orchestra performed with gusto and obvious enjoyment from start to finish and delighted the audience in St Mary’s Church, Calne, on Saturday evening.

The four young professional soloists were soprano Gwendolen Martin, who is originally from Calstone; alto Hannah Cooke, tenor Gareth Treseder and bass Edmund Saddington.

All were reflective, measured and emotional.

It was a delight to the ear.

Especially beautiful were the Alto aria 'He was despised' and the Soprano aria ‘I know that my redeemer liveth’.

In Part 2 the sublime arias and soaring choruses culminated in the Hallelujah Chorus and in Part 3 the dramatic entry of the trumpets, played by Mike Daniels and Daniel Wray, led to the final chorus and Amen.

Karl Jenkin’s Requiem will be performed on October 15 as part of the Calne Music and Arts Festival.

It promises to be an evening not to be missed as this choir goes from strength to strength.

CAROLE BROWNE