On Sunday 17 December 2017, Thomas Raoult directed his last Voices International concert prior to starting his new project, with the 4th and final “Songs of Hope” in this Christmas season, performed in front of an almost-full Kehlen Church, in what is the choir’s 20th anniversary.
Entering to rapturous applause from the audience, the 30+ strong choir representing multiple nationalities provided a real choral treat throughout the 75-minute concert that included both Church hymns and carols. They opened with an extended piece, John Rutter’s Gloria, sung to Katrin Reifentath on piano - she was late accompanied by Jorg Vock on bass and Luc Gilbertz on percussion.
Next up was the traditional English Carols O Little Town of Bethlehem and In the Bleak Midwinter, containing more melodies and to which many in the audience hummed along. As in previous VI concerts, different members of the choir are presented with the opportunity to sing solos, with our without accompaignment.
Next up on the programme was The Bird of the Dawning, containing text from Act 1, Scene 1 of Hamlet by William Shakespeare.
As is traditional in such concerts, Voices International also sing in languages other than English; for this concert programme they selected the traditional Luxembourgish Carol An der grousser hellger Nuecht - including some notes on the xylophone - which was highly appreciated, not only by the audience but also by the choir themselves.
In both Luxembourgish and English the choir thanked everyone who had supported them and made a presentation to outgoing director Thomas Raoult and also made special mention of former VI Chairman Steve Anderson who had returned from the US especially for this concert series.
The second half of the concert comprised the repertoire was Hope! A Christmas Celebration, an up-tempo medley of songs and carols celebrating the birth of Jesus, interspersed with texts narrated between the songs telling the story of Christmas.
Voices International holds a retiring collection after their concerts, with all proceeds going towards the charities Eng Hand fir ALL Kand asbl, Amicale vun der Schoul fir Assistenzshonn asbl abd Amité Am Sand - Amizero asbl, all of which help children.
