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Former Libera soloist Isaac London fits a microphone for new soloist Joseph Hill. (Isaac at Joseph's age) Updated December 31st, 2022 |
Welcome to all new readers. |
If you are unfamiliar with Libera, you may wish to go to Part One (link below) of this Timeline for an overview and history of the group, including the story of its beginnings.
Please note: new material is added at the end of each post, rather than at the beginning,
Once again I state that I'm a writer, not a techie, so please forgive the occasional odd configuration, type change, or spacing from imported material. I welcome corrections, suggestions and comments at: aahill@sonic.net
Disclaimer: This essay-with-videos is strictly an informal ongoing history, and, while I've attempted to make it as accurate as possible, some of my sources (or my interpretation of them) may be flawed or inaccurate. If you notice errors that I have made, or facts that were taken from inaccurate sources, please let me know at my email address (above) so that I may make appropriate changes.
This piece of writing has not been authorized by, nor is it connected with, the Libera/St. Philip's organization.
For Part One (introduction to Libera and to the Timeline, extensive overview & 1981-2007), please go to: http://liberatimeline.blogspot.com/
For The Tables of Contents for all Parts & Appendix A (there is also a Table of Contents at the beginning of each part): https://liberatimelinetocappenda.blogspot.com/
For Part Two (2008-2009): http://liberatimeline2.blogspot.com/
For Part Three (2010): http://liberatimeline3.blogspot.com/
For Part Four (2011): http://liberatimeline4.blogspot.com/
For Part Five (2012): http://liberatimeline5.blogspot.com/
For Part Six (January-May 2013): http://libera-timeline-6.blogspot.com/
For Part 6A (May-December 2013): http://libera-historicaltimeline6a.blogspot.com/
For Part Seven (January-July 2014): http://libera-historicaltimelinepart7.blogspot.com/
For Part 7A (August-November 2014): http://libera-historical-timelinepart7a.blogspot.com/
For Part 7B (December 2014): http://libera-historical-timeline-part7b.blogspot.com/
For Part 8 (January-March 2015): https://lib-erahistorical-timeline-part-eight.blogspot.com/
For Part 8A (January-March, 2015): http://liberahistorical-timeline-part-8-a.blogspot.com/
For Part 8B (August-December, 2015): http://liberahistoricaltimelinepart8b.blogspot.com/
For Part 9 (January-July, 2016): http://liberahistoricaltimeline-part-9.blogspot.com/
For Part 9A (July through December, 2015): http://lib-erahistorical-timelinepart9a.blogspot.com/
For Part 10 (January 1st, 2017-August 11th, 2017): https://li-berahistoricalt-imelinepart1a.blogspot.com/
For Part 10A (August 12th to December 31st, 2017): https://lib-era-historic-altimelinepart10a.blogspot.com/
For Part 11 (January 1st– October 20th: https://lib-er-ahistorical-timelinepart11.blogspot.com/
For Part11A ( October 21st to December 31st, 2018): https://li-berahistoricaltime-line11a.blogspot.com/
For Part 12 (January 1st to August 17th, 2019): https://liberahistoricaltimelinepart12.blogspot.com/
For Part 12A (August 18th to December 31st, 2019): https://lib-era-historicaltimelinepart12a.blogspot.com/
For Part 13 (January 1st to December 31st, 2020): https://liberatimelinepart13.blogspot.com/
For Part 14 (January 1st – July 5th, 2021: https://liberahisttimelinepart14.blogspot.com/2021
For Part 14a (July 5th - December 31st, 2021: https://histtimeline14alibera.blogspot.com
For Part 15 (January 1st - February 20th, 2022): https://15libhisttimeline.blogspot.com
Part 15A ( February 20th - Present, 2022): https://libhisttimelinepart15a.blogspot.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Korean Tour Announced for August
• Alumni News
• Memorial service for Robert Prizeman
• Korean Tour Canceled
• ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL CONCERT and Reviews
• Two UK July Concerts Announced
• December Concert at St. John's Smith Square Announced
• Libera Footnote: Hidden Solo Gems
• Concert Appearance Announced for August
• CONCERT AT ST. BARTHOLEMEW'S BRIGHTON, UK
• CONCERT AT CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL
• December Concert at St. John's Smith Square Announced
• Concert Reviews
• Luca Brugnoli Videos
• 2023 US Tour Announced
• CONCERT AT ST. JOHN'S SMITH SQUARE December 4th, 2022
• Concert Review
• Luca Brugnoli is Runner-up in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year Competition
• Songs from Upcoming Album Forever released on YouTube: "God Only Knows" and "Come My Way."
• End-of Year Odds and Ends
PART 15A
On February 20th, a new posting by filiarheni on the Libera Dreams Forum:
The Ely Box Office website of the Libera concert shows a glance on the programme I have only noticed today. Don't know if it was there before:
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| (Screenshot; go to link above to order tickets) |
The addition of the Saint-Saens "Bacchanale" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X67Cguz5J0s) ("Nisi Dominus" is another name for the Vivaldi "Cum Dederit" sung brilliantly by Dominik Clarke in 2020 and 2021) marks a continuation of a trend toward more challenging pieces, probably to take advantage of the strong soloist roster at this time.
On March 4th, Cantabile tweeted news of an upcoming Libera Concert:
Translation of text on website:
Period 2022.08.02 Venue Sejong Arts Center
Time 1 time 19:30 Viewing level 8 years old or older
Price information R 110,000
S 90,000
A 60,000 Hosted by Sejong Special Self-Governing City
Hosted by Sejong City Cultural Foundation Inquiries 044-850-8921~4
Detailed information Other information
※ Ticket opening schedules for performances in the second half of the year (July to December) will be announced at a later date.
Angels Singing Peace with Mystical Voices
• The boys' choir <Rivera> in London, England, which is loved by people all over the world for its pure and beautiful voice. The boys' choir was formed by the genius conductor and music director Robert Frysman, who is called the 'modern Mozart'.
Time 1 time 19:30 Viewing level 8 years old or older
Price information R 110,000
S 90,000
A 60,000 Hosted by Sejong Special Self-Governing City
Hosted by Sejong City Cultural Foundation Inquiries 044-850-8921~4
Detailed information Other information
※ Ticket opening schedules for performances in the second half of the year (July to December) will be announced at a later date.
Angels Singing Peace with Mystical Voices
• The boys' choir <Rivera> in London, England, which is loved by people all over the world for its pure and beautiful voice. The boys' choir was formed by the genius conductor and music director Robert Frysman, who is called the 'modern Mozart'.
• <Rivera> means ‘freedom’ in Latin, and it embodies music with their own colors, encompassing medieval and modern music, regardless of the format of a specific school or religious group.The representative songs of <Rivera> are arranged in a high range, so the music has a high level of difficulty and is unique.
• In particular, songs such as 'Sanctus' and 'Walking in the Air' breathe a unique fresh and positive energy, and are already being used in various movies and TV entertainment programs.
○ Performers: Rivera Choir
○ Performers: Rivera Choir
Some Alumni News:
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 Libera alumnus Daniel Fontannaz   Libera Alumnus (2011-2017) Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey  |
On April 15th, Libera soloist Luca Brugnoli posted a new video on his YouTube channel, a rendition of "Bring Him Home" from Les Misérables. His appended note seemed to indicate that he's in the process of recording a CD.
"Here's what I sang in our school house music competition recently. I will be working on a new version of this song soon together with many other tracks this year. Still heavily involved in the most amazing choir ever but also wanting to try some solo material."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeYdVnw8rRg (Bring Him Home/Luca Brugnoli in school music competition/April 2022/3:05)
On April 17th, a tweet from Libera at the Sacred Heart Church in Bournemouth, where they took part in the Easter Sunday service, now available on the church's website to view later (go to "recordings" tab): https://www.bournemouthoratory.org.uk/live-feed/
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| At Bournemouth: Lewis Quinn, Luca Brugnoli, Daniel White, Dominik Clarke, and Victor Wiggin. On May 1st, a memorial service for Robert Prizeman was held at St. John the Evangelist Church in London at Evensong. Announcements of it were deliberately kept low-key. Libera follower Yorkie reported briefly on the service: I was fortunate to attend and it was very much a 'normal' evensong - apart from the choir, which was around 60 former and current members of the St Philip's choir and they sang beautifully. The pieces were mainly Herbert Howell's, and the readings were done by some of the younger choristers.  Some of Robert's family attended the service, which must have been very moving for them to experience, like me, a little of the impact that Robert's musical talent and dedication had on so many lives. Farther Younis Francis returned to give the address, which was dedicated to Robert, and he told us that RP once did a radio programme* about Herbert Howell who was RP's favourite composer and his "Collegium Regale in Bb" was the Mag and Nunc of the service. *The radio broadcast is available on Youtube.This programme, originally broadcast on Howells’ 90th birthday, 17 October 1982, was repeated after his death the following year. In it, Robert Prizeman explores the composer’s life and work. |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbXUz8FREas&t=5s
A video tribute to Robert Prizeman included most of the known photos of this camera-shy genius.
On May 7th, a message from Libera:
Celebrating the life of Robert Prizeman
Last weekend, we celebrated the life of our founder Robert Prizeman. It was the greatest honour to have singers and families from Libera’s past and present with us to celebrate the life, music and legacy of this remarkable man.
Thank you to all our wider group of friends for their support over the past few months. Libera continues to go from strength to strength and we will be singing lots of the same music at our Concert at Ely Cathedral on 21st May, including ‘Once an Angel’, which was one of Robert’s last compositions. We hope many of you might be thereu to celebrate with us.
On May 16th, ai_joshua posted a photo of the Libera alumni who attended and sang for the recent memorial service for Robert Prizeman.
Also on May 16th, several fans on the Libera Dreams Forum posted links to an interview with new Libera Music Director Sam Coates:
On May 17h, a YouTube excerpt of the interview became available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOXGo_B0UUg
May 21st Concert at Ely Cathedral
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| (Photo of banner by Patrick) |
On May 21st, a tweet from Patrick:
The group arrived at Ely Cathedral a couple of minutes ago. some of them have grown quite a lot since the last concerts.
Can you count how many of them are here ?
Song List (Program photos courtesy of Patrick)
The Singers
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| Staff and Musicians |
Patrick at Intermission:
Here a tab with some info about the songs of the 1st part.
Thanks to The Furby for the precious database 
libera-passion.exprimetoi.net/t1280-les-morc
libera-passion.exprimetoi.net/t1280-les-morc
On May 22nd, Some notes on some songs from Patrick:.
This is Google translated from French. Blame Google if case of non-sense
Vespera
They entered the stage from both sides, in silence, in the dark. Once everyone on stage, absolutely perfectly simultaneous start of everyone, impressive.
Luca on the solo verses and Nathan on the high notes, very successful.
Sing for ever
There were many highlights yesterday and Sing For Ever was one of them. 5 boys organized in a square with in front Joseph Hill Slater at the front left corner, Nathan on the right, Freddie Mushrafi behind Joseph and Victor Wiggin behind Nathan. Luca Brugnoli in the center.
The speech just before tells us that Joseph is 9 years old and Nathan 11.
The song started in the most sweetest way with Joseph then Nathan alternating lines, while Luca accompanied with harmonies.
It was splendid, fresh and poetic. Despite his young age, Joseph's voice is assured and very rich in emotions, a real pleasure to hear. This gives hope for many fantastic performances to come from him. Nathan is also very good, he also perfectly suited to the song. Luca's harmonies make the link between the two soloists and the whole is really very successful. I hope libera will take this song into consideration when choosing one to make a video of.
Lux Aeterna
Back on stage after the intermission organized to create a surprise for the public. In the silence left by the public, the boys were divided into two groups which go far back in the side aisles of the cathedral. They walk slowly towards the stage while singing verses in Latin. It was the introduction of the song, the music of which begins when they are on stage.
Ave Maria
Funny little moment in the introductory speech of Ave Maria, it is mentioned that Tadhg Fitzgerald had made a fantastic version of Ave Maria 2 years earlier, but now some notes are too high for him (Tadhg is now among the 'Bigs ').
As it should have been, it is Robert Prizeman's version that was performed, as in December at the concert at St John Smith Square. Difference however, in St John SS the soloist was Lewis Quinn, accompanied by Daniel White and Luca Brugnoli. Last night Lewis was absent (although credited in the program), and was Daniel and Luca who carried the whole song. They sang in a simultaneous duet throughout and it was very successful, it really seemed like there was a single voice.
Sacris Solemnis
Very pleasant, Freddie Mushrafi conveyed emotions in his voice. And the high notes of Luca (I believe) throughout the song give it its relief. The last 'Gaudia' was for Freddie.
Come My Way
The new song of the evening, with Daniel White as a soloist. It will be necessary to hear it again to better memorize it, this is a bit recent. For that we will have to wait for the release of the next album (nothing has been announced about this release). I thought to myself that the chorus is easier to remember than the verses, because it has more rhythm.
Sing For Our World
When this song came out on her CD I wasn't particularly thrilled. But seeing her on stage in addition to listening to her is a whole different experience. It really is a song that the boys are visibly happy and joyful to perform. Along with the fast tempo, there are ensemble moves from the boys that further up the tempo and energize the song. I'm not surprised that some of them said in an interview that it was their favorite song.
A very good concert, where covers of songs that hadn't been sung for years are as welcome as new ones. I'm looking forward to the next concert, wherever it is, to rediscover this very special atmosphere of a Libera concert, and to see how the new soloists will evolve.
A more complex review by Martindaas:
On May 26th, John45 posted, on the Libera Dreams Forum a photo of the verses to "Come By Me," The only new and unknown song on the concert program. According to him: "The middle verse and the final line are Robert's. The first and third verses are the original by George Herbert."
Also around this time, Furby of the Libera Passion site updated the photo listing of current choir members, at: https://libera-passion.exprimetoi.net/t1110-les-membres-de-libera-maj-decembre-2021#24513, identifying two more of the miniboys who participated in the concert as Leon Clarke, younger brother of Dominik Clarke, and Cory Agyei
On May 31st, a tweet from Patrick:
The hypothesis of a tour in Korea this summer seems to be over 
The venue that initiated the rumour now says the performance is cancelled
sjac.or.kr/base/nrr/perfo
The venue that initiated the rumour now says the performance is cancelled
sjac.or.kr/base/nrr/perfoOn June 12th, a tweet from Luca Brugnoli:
It’s official 
recording 1st July to launch a crowd funder shortly… working with the awesome Rob Lewis and sharing recording space with the amazing Cai Thomas . Updates to follow.
recording 1st July to launch a crowd funder shortly… working with the awesome Rob Lewis and sharing recording space with the amazing Cai Thomas . Updates to follow.
On June 20th, a tweet from Andrzej
Pictures from the recent 's concert at Ely cathedral have been published. Really lovely photos and great memories from the concert.
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| https://libera.org.uk/gallery/sass-2021-2/ (A few samples below)   On June 24th, an announcement from Libera: Summer Concerts 2022 We are pleased to announce two summer concerts. These will take place on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th July at St Bartholemew’s Church, Brighton and Chichester Cathedral. Advance ticket sales open at 2.00PM UK time on Sunday 26th June. General sales open at 2.00PM on Monday 27th June St Bartholomew’s Church, Brighton Friday 29th July at 7.00 PM Tickets: Available at 2.00PM UK time on Monday 27th June from Ticketsource Chichester Cathedral Saturday 30th July at 7.30 PM Tickets: Available at 2.00PM UK time on Monday 27th June from Ticketsource   |
In mid-June , Libera soloist Luca Brugnoli began tweeting about a crowdfunding recording session to be shared with prominent boy soloist Cai Thomas. To follow the progress of this recording, go to:
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| Luca Brugnoli (C) at recording session. |
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a
appeared as a music video in 2002.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHemOpKGSJI (Twilight is Stealing/Ben Crawley with Chris Robson/2002 music video/2:46/
3. A New Heaven (2004)
Anthony Chadney (c. 1999-2004) had a marvelous voice, which, somewhat surprisingly, was seldom used as a solo instrument (possibly because he was so good at singing second harmonies.) His only solo credits are from the 2004 CD, Free, for “Voca Me” (sung with Christopher Robson), and for the song below, “A New Heaven,” based on the Biblical Book of Revelations as interpreted by Robert Prizeman.  Although Chadney soloed only in the opening to this piece, his voice may well have been the inspiration for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X5CqCvAtVE&t=3s (A New Heaven/Anthony Chadney/Free/2004/4:08)
4. The Lamb (2008)
The words of William Blake, set to music by Don Kay and sung with an almost eerie sweetness by 12-year-old Benedict Philipp (2007-2011), were a gentle and poignant addition to the New Dawn album, but possibly considered too subdued for concert use.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dRhk6yt690 (The Lamb/Benedict Philipp/New Dawn/2008/4:03 5. Ave Virgo (2010)
This piece is based on a theme from the Clarinet Concerto by Mozart as arranged by Robert Prizeman (with traditional words). It appeared on the 2010 Peace album as a kind of swan song for the great Tom Cully (2002-2009), whose voice had changed by this time. Cully was 15 or 16 when this lovely arrangement was recorded.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfG6_adJXWA (Ave Virgo/Tom Cully/Peace/2010; Song of Life/2012; Ave Maria [Japan]/2012/3:52)
6. Lead Kindly Light (2010) Jakob de Menezes-Wood (2007-2012) was a shy boy with a bright high vocal range that was often used to good effect in demanding pieces. His straightforward singing of Robert Prizeman’s variation on a beloved hymn (with words by John Henry Newman) is deeply touching in its simplicity 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZSLwmdHExI (Lead Kindly Light/Jakob de Menezes-Wood/Peace/2010/3:55)
James Mordaunt (2008-2011) was a tiny 10-year-old when Libera alumnus Ben Crawley created this remarkable tone poem for him. Sweetly evocative, with atonal background vocal accompaniment, it’s unlike any other Libera performance to date, and is perhaps too delicate for concert use.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxF0W2jsi3U&t=1s (Touch the Sky/James Mordaunt With Jakob de Menezes-Wood/ Peace/2010/3:15
7. Panis Angelicus (2010) Music by César Franck, arranged by Robert Prizeman  Daniel Fontannaz This beloved old chestnut is so often performed that it’s unlikely to make a Libera concert roster. It appeared on the 1988 Angel Voices album Sing For Ever, with Jaymi Bandtok (1983-1999) and Sam Harper (1980s) soloing; again in 1992 on, Angel Voices (Quality Television) with Oliver Putland (1980s-mid-1990s); and this very competent 2010 version by Daniel Fontannaz (2008-2014), in his first recording as a soloist, would also appear on Song of Life – A Collection, and on the Japanese album Ave Maria, both in 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-dqFZEzmOU&t=4s (Panis Angelicus/ Daniel Fontannaz/Peace/2010/3:16) (2nd voice uncredited)
(Translaton of Panis Angelicus)
May the Bread of Angels
8. Corpus Christi Carol (2011)
This stark piece of un-holiday-like music was composed by Benjamin Britten to accompany traditional words first written down in the early 16th century, and probably dating to well before that.
The distinctive voice of Libera soloist Ralph Skan (2008-2013) singing the mysterious verses, and James Mordaunt, his innocent treble replying in the repeated chorus, combine in this song for a chills-up-the-spine moment.  -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htMrEIh7wcM&t=3s (Corpus Christi Carol/Ralph Skan and James Mordaunt/The Christmas Album/2011/3:15)
(Note: This piece was sung once as a solo at St. George’s Cathedral, London in 2013 by Tom Delgado-Little [2010-2015].)
9. The Three Ravens (2017)
Gregor Lumsden (2016-2018), who joined Libera at age 12, was already a fully-fledged chorister with another choir. This robust composition set to traditional words by John Harle was possibly a “party piece” he’d performed before, and was probably re-arranged for Libera by Robert Prizeman.  This performance is fast-paced and edgy, with a second high-treble line sung by Alessandro Mackinnon-Botti (2012-2017). It was probably considered much too overwhelming for a Libera concert.  The original “Three Ravens” song (Roud 5, Child 26) is an English folk ballad, printed in the song book Melismata, compiled by Thomas Ravenscroft and published in 161. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfF2QFIwmI&t=4s (Three Ravens/Gregor Lumsden with Alessandro Mackinnon-Botti/Hope/2017/5:56)
10. Stabat Mater
Music by Robert Prizeman
Isaac London (2011-2017) was a brilliant and versatile soloist with a distinctive voice. His opening solo in this piece is mature, accomplished and memorable.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj8le4ZBOR4&t=2s (Stabat Mater/Isaac London/Hope/2017/4:08)
11. Hymn to Mary
This delicate arrangement by Robert Prizeman with words and music by Beth Nielsen-Chapman was actually performed in concert by Isaac London six times over a two-year period. It’s included here because it’s a rare solo performance by a Libera member that’s unaccompanied by background vocals. London sings it simply and straightforwardly, the unadorned prayer of a child, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHRPbBTus_o&t=11s (Hymn to Mary/Isaac London/Libera at Christmas/2016; Hope/2017/3:02)
12. Venite Adoremus (2017)
This is another Prizeman composition that transcends the simplicity of its traditional Latin text. The soaring notes of Merlin Brouwer are downright hypnotic. The song’s brooding complexity has probably kept it from the concert stage.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsXlzoVoWC8 (Venite Adoremus/Merlin Brouwer with Alex Montoro/Hope/2017/5:24
13. Benedictus Deus (2017)
When composer Mark McKenzie was hired to compose the soundtrack of a full-length animated feature called The Greatest Miracle, he did so with Libera firmly in mind.
Much of the choir’s participation was in the form of background vocals, but McKenzie created a spine-tingling musical moment with the soaring solo introduction to “Benedictus Deus,” sung on the soundtrack by Stefan Leadbeater (2009-2012).  McKenzie later composed an extended version of the piece, carrying the high solo line throughout. It was sung by Tom Delgado-Little on the Hope CD in 2017, and in 2018 by Leo Barron on the Beyond album.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVzlTZ-w0m0&t=38s (Benedictus Deus/Thomas Delgado-Little/Hope/2017; Leo Barron/Beyond/2018/3:25)
14. Nunc Dimittis (2021)
This exquisite duet, based on “Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis” by Geoffrey Burgon, and arranged by Robert Prizeman, is another piece that stands alone against a gentle minimum of background vocals. The intertwined voices of Tadgh Fitzgerald (2015-present) and Dominik Clarke (2018-present) create a starkly beautiful image of farewell.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yReOVWelwZ0&t=1s (Nunc Dimittis/Tadgh Fitzgerald and Dominik Clarke/IF/2021/3:08)
15. O Lord Support Us
Set by Robert Prizeman to words by St. Henry John Newman, this is another exquisite performance, in the solo introductions to each section, by Dominik Clarke.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqgLhb-5rwM&t=2s (O Lord Support Us/solo by Dominik Clarke/ IF/20213:28) [NEW] I just added some useful navigating tools for our #Libera database 
 The homepage now displays a quick link section so you don't need to check the subforums to access main parts of the database  https://libera-passion.exprimetoi.net (Screenshot) On July 21st, a tweet from Libera Passion:  On July 25th, a tweeted rehearsal clip from Libera: On July 27th, a tweeted photo from Libera. IDs by Patrick: I can't name two boys. They seem to be newbies despite being tall than the usual mini-boys.
3 : Pietro Vergani 4 : Julian Heitman 5 : Nathan Slater 6 : Thomas Sandoval-Herrera 7 : Thomas Mushrafi 8 : Hal Avery 9 : Samuel Whalley 10: Joseph Hill 11: Morgan Wiltshire 12: Nathaniel Bates Fisher 13: ? 14: John Gardner 15: Jack Spicha 16: Alexandre Menuet 17: Cameron Birmingham (by deduction) 18: Luke Batteson Dalpiaz 19: Koji Shinokubo 20: Ludwik Kowalczyk 21: Ethan Barron 22: Laurence Taylor 23: Laurence Davey 24: Daniel White 25: Victor Wiggin 26: Luca Brugnoli 27: Mathias Montoro 28: Dominik Clarke 29: Lewis Quinn 30: Orlando Benedict 31: ? 32: Cory Agyei 33: mutated Moose 34: Frederick Mushrafi Compared with last concert in Ely, missing are : Daniel Catalogna Joseph Cranitch Oscar James Oliver Watt-Rodriguez Tadhg Fitzgerald On July 28th, Libera soloist Luca Brugnoli posted a crowdfunding video on YouTube for his first CD. (Luca Brugnoli crowdfunding video/7-22/3:48) CONCERT AT ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S, BRIGHTON July 29th    IDs by Patrick: left to right: Oskar Handsveit, Orlando Benedict, Joseph Hill, Daniel White, Thomas Mushrafi, Leon Clarke, Laurence Davey (back row), Julian Heitman.  IDs by Patrick: From left to right: 1st row: Thomas Sandoval-Herrera, Pietro Vergani, Ethan Hutchinson, Cory Agyei, Frederick Howarth, Luca Brugnoli. 2nd row : Hal Avery (possibly), Freddie Mushrafi, Lutwik Kowalczyk, Victor Wiggin, Lewis Quinn. SINGERS  New choristers: Frederick Howarth, Ethan Hutchinson, and Mitchel Guy  NEW SONGS  "BEATI" by Libera Alumnus Raoul Neumann  MUSICIANS AND STAFF       CONCERT AT CHICHESTER CATHEDRAL July 30th   On July 31st, an announcement from Libera: St John’s Smith Square ConcertWe have announced a concert at St John’s Smith Square. This will be our fourth visit to this central London venue. Our concert will take place on Sunday 4th December 2022 at 5.30pm. Tickets will go on general sale via the SJSS box office https://www.sjss.org.uk/whats-on on Monday 18th July. Also on July 31st, an Instagram post from Yuki:   On August 1st: a tweet from Patrick: There will be new material about Libera in the Creative World TV show.
TV broadcast is on local cable KXLA in Southern California, including Los Angeles, for Sunday August 28th.
And for the world, available on Youtube, starting Saturday September 3rd. youtube.com/c/CreativeWorl  On July 18th, a tweet from Furby at Libera Passion:  ...and a thorough concert review from padmachou: Hi everyone! I have been pressured to write a review. (I would have done it anyway) Sorry I wrote it in French and I am going to translate, I hope it won't be too bad. I might drop some details on the way if it's too complicated, because I wrote an extensive review, 6 word pages long... So, I hope you are ready for the more ecstatic Libera review ever ! After the concert I thought this was one of the best two concerts I ever attended, and I still think so. Also I feel really sad that it's already over and I wish I could re-live it... Thank you to fan_de_Lok, whom notes I am using to right the review and not forget most of it I have to say, I really liked Chichester too. Concerts outside of Libera require a bit more organization, and it is a bit more expensive, though I love to visit beautiful British cathedrals. It feels even more an "out of time" dream than in London. The calm, beautiful weather and the garden sure helped So, I am so so, so happy with this trip, glad I could see fans I did not meet since... 2019 ! And also I am grateful I could attend the soundcheck, warming up and all. It is precious. Chichester cathedral is beautiful and the stage looked awesome with the lights. From the other fans I get that it was visually more satisfying than Brighton, along with the better sound quality. My highlights were Sing for Ever, Voca Me, Beati, Lighthouse, and Come My Way. I had 3 new songs to discover, having not attended Ely in May. It is not often than you get 2 new songs at the same time, I was lucky ! FIRST PART The concert started with Vespera, very similar to last december. The boys had their hands joined in prayer, standing 3/4, Luca Brugnoli in the center. And this time Nathan Slater was doing the vocalise (word spreads that Daniel Catalogna might have left Libera). Nathan is really good, he has a great voice, I hope it gets stronger with time because he would benefit from an increased volume. I really enjoyed the way he his focused and tender, also he is always perfectly in tune. When they sing "Sancto spiritu" the boys face the audience and relax their arms, same way they did in December. Daniel White and Koji Shinokubo did the first speech. I am still bad at remembering who said what and when. I think they introduced the choir and tell about losing Robert. Prizeman, and the last songs he wrote. We learned that "Let Me Make Songs" relies on a famous text from Frances Harper, about the civic rights and abolition of slaving. Lighthouse is a song by Joshua Madine. There seems to be a debate among the fans, to know whether the song fits Libera or not... so I was eager to hear it, and I loved it ! I get that it is not typical Libera (no latine, no vocalise, a bit jazzy), and I do not think it will often be performed on stage, the soloist needs to be very precise, currently Luca Brugnoli is doing it. I found the lyrics and the music relaxing, and it reminded me of songs like "Touch the Sky", or "Silencium", great ones not often performed on stage and less famous than others. I say well done Joshua ! As you might have expected he is playing the piano a lot on this song. The boys did three columns with Luca in the middle, and they moved and spread on the sides, then came back to the columns.  Josh Madine If was performed by Daniel W, whose voice is on top, unfortunately I would be surprised to hear that young voice in December (though I was already surprised it lasted after last December !). Daniel is sort of the second-hand conductor, if Sam and Steven were feeling unwell, he could take over. Young boys are watching him to know what to do and if they did well, also he is always relaxed and perfectly on top. He is also a great interpreter, he is subtile and moving. Salva Me is a very welcomed back song. As before, groups of boys, they raise their hands twice during the "Salva Me". Joseph Hill did the vocalise. I love his voice ! Just like Nathan Slater's, I hope it gets stronger with time, but... he does not lack strength for his age ! Very impressive. According to fan_de_Lok's notes, Lewis and Freddie did a speech after that, but what were they talking about ? I believe they mentioned the last IF album, and suggested that "if" you don't have it yet, you are welcome to buy it during the interval. That might have been the speech when they talked about miniboys and big boys too ? I don't know when it happened but at some point during the concert, they mentionned that Steven Geraghty, Sam Coates, Josh Madine, Raoul Neumann, and many other former boys were involved with Libera and composing music. They also announced they will release a new album next year, with "many other songs composed by former Libera members". Though it might not have been during that speech at all.  Sing For Ever was one of my highlights, and I know some fans like it better when it is performed with more mature voices, but I really liked the arrangement with Joseph Hill and Nathan Slater on the solo parts, Luca doing the backing vocalise parts. All three stood in the center, the rest surrounding them. I like the new arrangement and I feel like a new record would be welcome and would fit the new upcoming album. Always with you is one of my favourite songs, though I found it a bit less qualitative in regards to this concert, a bit shaky ? I believe Morgan Wiltshire was pretty tense, and I found him great later during the concert, but a bit hesitant on this song - also I wonder if his voice fits the song really well, or maybe I would like to hear an other sort of voice on this one ? Thomas Mushrafi did a decent job of the vocalise, though a bit imprecise I believe he has the potentiel to become a great soloist and it was great to hear his voice. Joseph Hill made quite an impression, his vocalises are strong and precise despite being very young. The staging was this : Morgan stood in the middle, the boys in half a circle, Thomas and Joseph on the right and left in front of the circle. .jpeg) Victor Wiggin, Cameron Birmingham, Daniel White, Luca Brugnoli, Lewis Quinn, Nathan Slater Stay With Me followed (the two songs make a fine pair), with sort of the same soloists : 1rst verse by Thomas Mushrafi, 2nd by Joseph Hill. I think Thomas was good on this one, and Joseph still fantastic. The surprise being Laurence Davey, singing awesome vocalise ! I hope we get to hear more, his voice is powerful and smooth. Voca Me is back, which I thought it would be since Luca Brugnoli's voice is on top right now for the vocalise. I loved it, I am always impressed with the quality of the "aaaah" at the beginning, in crescendo and perfect rythm. Luca was great. I like the original version better (the DVD Angels Sing: in America Thomas Delgado-Little's delivering is my favourite record so far), but it is about the arrangement, not about the choir quality. The delivering was perfect, the lights beautiful. I noted Daniel and Victor being in the middle, back to back, sort of leading their parts. It was a beautiful moment for these two leaders I think. .jpeg) Orlando Benedict, Joseph Hill, Samuel Whaley, Leon Clarke, Morgan Wiltshire, Laurence Taylor, Julian Heitmann, Dominik Clarke, Laurence Davey Daniel White and Laurence Davey made a speech, annoucing the end of the 1rst part, the break when they shall be careful not to spill anything on their "lovely white robes". They mentioned it being the sort of dress ancient monk would wear, though they would not have sang the same way, dividing in seven parts. And so, Daniel lead the choir singing seven different notes on "Liberaaaaa". Really nice. They said the next song was, thus, Libera, same name as the choir, that way if you have forgotten the name of the choir and you want to text your friends about it during the interval, here you go: .jpeg) Luca Brugnoli, Lewis Quinn, Nathan Slater, Oskar Handsveit, Thomas Mushrafi, Mitchel Guy, Orlando Benedict, Joseph Hill Libera contained a little surprise: a new boy, already a soloist. There were three new boys onstage for this tour, new but already fully operational on stage, and older than usual miniboys. Ethan Hutchinson was singing in another choir with some Libera boys, it seems. Frederick Howarth and Ethan seem to sing middle parts, from what I saw. The surprise soloist being Mitchel Guy. His voice is bright and still young, but quite steady. He did the solo part with Freddie Mushrafi. Luca Brugnoli helped Mitchel on the final notes, his voice being more powerful. ENTRACTE The second part starts with Lux Aeterna. The boys are divided in two groups, and they walk from the back of the cathedral along the aisles, until they hop on the stage, singing the plainchant. The big boys sounded amazing on the lower parts. In general, I find them a precious "support". I noticed some of them can still sing quite high parts, like Johnny Gardner (you would notice because he is a giant so you see him very well). Morgan Wiltshire did the solo part, a great performance I think, with Victor Wiggin on the lower parts. At the end, Morgan sort of had an inquisitive look towards Victor, and Victor nodded and smiled, like "Yeah, this was a good job". Perfect big brother. Orinoco Flow is a challenge on stage. They move a lot, they turn right, they turn left... and sometimes they discreetly mix it up. I really like the movements, I don't care so much for the song.  Joseph Hill, Jack Spicha, Samuel Whaley, Luke Batteson-Dalpiaz, Nathan Slater, Cameron Birmingham, Mathias Montoro. I wasn't caring too much about Prizeman's Ave Maria, knowing that the solo would be a trio (I miss Merlin's solo, too). Though I was totally enchanted. I think Lewis Quinn, Daniel White and Luca Brugnoli optimized their homogeneity, being all in the center might have helped. It was beautiful, you could hear all three voices and though they completed each other. The boys stood in half a circle surrounding them. I had great expectations for Far Away, but feared it a bit. The piece requires vocal strenght and tenderness. Luca Brugnoli found the right balance... it was beautiful. I believe it was the first time I heard that piece live, and it is one of the first Libera songs I heard on YouTube, so... moving. Sacris Solemnis belongs to Freddie Mushrafi. I could not say exactly how, but the arrangement is a bit different from the album, the solo is longer and gives the boy the opportunity to shine. Luca Brugnoli did the final vocalise and Freddie ended it. I think Luca and Nathan Slater did the high parts. The boys stood in half a circle. I think the sound balance was better than it was at SJSS in December. No doubt the boys improve with time, too. .jpeg) Beati is Raoul Neumann's composition, a very Libera-like one : both English and latine words, vocalises, solo and choir, rythm... Nathan Slater and Luke Batteson-Dalpiaz opened it, facing the audience with the words "Beati quorum via integra est", them melted with the choir... and the choir melted... and again... I don't know how the boys are good enough to be moving on stage and being perfectly in rythm and tune, changing neighbourhood all the time... The soundcheck got me wondering if it was doable, the stage being small. The piece made me think of "Gaudete" : small solo opening, lot of rythm and variations.  Raoul Neumann Come My Way... wasn't new to everyone, but it was to me. I loved it. I have to say, Daniel White delivered quite a performance, an outstanding one, and I wonder if this is a piece the choir will be able to sing without him. It requires a good interpreter and huge voice quality and agility.  From Left: Koji Shinokubo, Jack Spicha, Samuel Whaley, Freddie Mushrafi, Oskar Handsveit, Hal Avery, Nathaniel Bates Fisher (top), Nathan Slater, Luca Brugnoli, Pietro Vergani, Lewis Quinn, Ethan Barron, Laurence Taylor, Cameron Birmingham, Thomas Mushrafi, Daniel White. Thomas Sandoval-Herrera and (???) did the last speech (the second boy's name is missing from fan_de_LoK's notes, I am lost, I have to make a complaint), announcing the end of the concert. I Am the Day was just perfect. Morgan Wiltshire was outstanding and his voice fits the part really well. I only regret not knowing who was doing the whispering part ? The boys stood on each side, in 2 rows I think, heads down and then up when they sang. Daniel White did the final vocalise, flawless... how can his voice sound like that at his age ? Standing ovation, 1st encore: .jpeg) Victor Wiggin, Cameron Birmingham, Daniel White, Luca Brugnoli, Lewis Quinn, Nathan Slater, Oskar Heitmann Sing for Our World, of course. No more "hey", I think the boys are more comfortable that way. A lot of movement on stage, they face and then stand 3/4, then during the long vocalise they from half a circle. It's funny, I have always pictured them doing that in my head. I probably should be working with Libera for the staging. I really like this piece as an encore, the boys smile a lot : they are looking at each other, they have fun, and they feel relaxed for the end of the concert ! Second standing ovation, 2nd encore !!! Smile, with Victor Wiggin and Mitchel Guy sharing the solo. They stand center-stage, Victor starts with his deep mature voice, then hands it to Mitchel, pursuing with his more childish voice, while Victor handles the "aaah" (his voice can be very low and very high right now !!!). Very moving. And I have to say : Mitchel was shining with pride and he makes a fine new "Libera's Smile." We tried to get a 3rd encore with a 3rd standing ovation, but the boys just waved us goodbye What is there to say more ? A lot of miniboys on top, that is reassuring, good soloists too, a lot of potential. I hope Daniel and Victor Wiggin will find replacement as the leaders (#BigBrothers). Luca definitely is up to the task, as are Freddie Mushrafi and Nathan Slater. I believe Ludwik Kowalczyk is doing a great job with the middle voice. I hope to hear more from mature voices like Luke Batteson-Dalpiaz and Laurence Davey, but also younger ones, Thomas Mushrafi, Joseph Hill, Morgan Wiltshire, Lewis Quinn and Mitchel Guy. That's a lot of soloists, actually ! Thank you for the great smiles (Morgan Wiltshire, Lewis Quinn, Daniel White, Victor Wiggin, Leon Clarke, Thomas Sandoval-Herrera, Pietro Vergani…), the expressive faces and bouncing (Hal Avery, Cameron Birmingham, Joseph Hill…), to those who look like the are absorbed within the music (Ludwik Kowalczyk and Frederick Howarth, Mitchel Guy whose deep focus reminds me of Thomas Delgado Little).  Thank you to Steven Geraghty, Sam Coates, Raoul Neumann, Josh Madine, and the stage managers Kavana Crossley, Matthew Jansen, Nathaniel Bates Fisher, Isaac London (whose name is missing from the program). Quite a Libera team, made of Libera boys... Libera feeds itself Special thanks to Kathy Kielty and the photographs for I found the program especially beautiful ! The pictures were carefully chosen. Thank you to the cathedral staff, I have been hanging in there a lot, and they were so lovely. I expect that the upcoming album might contain : Lighthouse (Josh Madine), Beati (Raoul Neumann), Come My Way (Robert Prizeman and Sam Coates), Sing for Ever, Grateful Heart, and maybe music composed by Big Ben (Crawley) and Tom Cully ? EDIT : Oh my, the translation took me one hour and a half !—padmachou Just came across an early St Philip's Boy Choir TV appearance I had never seen before. The choir is singing San Damiano with Sal Solo. Jaymi Bandtock can be seen at 02:14.   `  Early soloist Jaymi Bandtok  Sam Harper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_FJJqho1tU&t=1s(San Damiano/Sal Solo with St. Philip’s Boys’ Choir/3:39) On August 4th, an update by Furby of Libera Passion:   Libera onstage  Performing "Orinoco Flow" On August 8th, a special milestone for soloist Luca Brugnoli:    On August 10th, a long and astoundingly detailed review by filiarheni: Writing reviews is getting more demanding these days. My last one was a shared review of a concert and an album, the current one is supposed to have a view on two, if not three concerts, because I didn’t manage to write an Ely review. Here are my thoughts. In Brighton a presence at the sound check was said not to be possible, which resulted in a reduced flock of four fans luxuriating in the church’s anteroom, in contrast of the sardine can feeling we experienced in 2018 because of the pouring rain outside. Every once in a while some curious tourists approached the church and we used the opportunity to advertise the concert. Not sure who actually came back to attend at last, but several of them were quite interested and thankful for the information, so maybe ...  During Chichester’s sound check, there was a 10 seconds lasting rumour that Daniel Catalogna was back, which immediately made me change the set list in my mind shifting Angele Dei in and and Orinoco out, as I found the latter to be the least of a loss. But alas, it remained a rumour, Daniel C. has left and I extraordinarily regret that, because his outstanding start and development up to Ely had piqued my curiosity about what would become of his voice in the future. Apart from my personal love for sound checks, which includes the warming up exercises, I’m in favour of keeping the church open to the public meanwhile. Because it is the best marketing means, when there are still tickets available. We fans, who hang around there, hopefully do not bother them and other church visitors who aren’t familiar with Libera can be tempted to change their evening plans to attend a Libera concert. Libera can only gain that way. While I cannot say for sure that I preferred the Chichester acoustics, as both venues were well suited for Libera’s sound, the Chichester concert presented better solos. Was it the calmer mood due to some tiredness from the evening before or rather the confidence resulting from the successful Brighton evening? Probably both. For the newer members it was certainly good to have two directly consecutive concerts. How would a third concert have been? Unbearably perfect probably.  So, my ranking is that the first night the second half was better than the first and the Chichester concert was better than the Brighton one. One thing I was less happy about in Chichester was my issue that some of the vocalises weren’t loud enough and as a result blended with the choir to such an extent that it was too much and they were sometimes not distinguishable for me anymore. It was superb to get Vespera, Salva, Voca Me, Libera and Lux Aeterna all in one concert! For me, it can gladly remain that way. My weekend top three were Lux Aeterna, Voca Me, I am the Day. Vespera Oh, how I love this song! At first the “Te lucis ante terminum” chant, and then those chords by the woodwinds with special emphasis on the clarinet I love them - they never fail to spread this intensely friendly, bright, protected feeling out in me from my head to my toes and it remains throughout the entire song. I’m so grateful to Robert that he gifted us with this composition. Luca Brugnoli was the soloist and he and Nathan Slater form a marvelous team here. Actually during Chichester’s sound check in particular, when I was sitting in the last row, I noticed how exceptionally well their voices harmonise. Luca as the reliable singer he always is sang a crystal-clear solo. Nathan’s voice is very beautiful, light and agile, so he managed his parts effortlessly. I’m convinced that one day he can be entrusted with Voca Me’s vocalises, which require such slenderness and flexibility. I’ve quickly become a fan of Nathan’s voice and look forward to what his musical future will have at hand for us. The song was - to speak with Libera: unsurprisingly - purest enjoyment and it caused me goosebumps just due to being such a wellness song. Only ... its position in the concert. Like in earlier concerts, it was the opener again and afterwards you spend the entire further concert without it. Maybe I’m alone with this, but I’d prefer another, “less important” song to start off the concert. To defer the best for a little while, so that the anticipation can stay with me longer. Sanctus Sanctus is just Sanctus. Let Me Make Songs This song would make the better opener, I think, a strong announcement of what is to come with its energetic, emotional music, reinforced in particular by the haunting sound of the French horn. Although it’s not the most interesting song in terms of the composition, it captures me every time. I love the loudness and the power, but no less the part where the music turns intimate, ending with those moving lyrics “and girdle the world with peace”. Goosebumps! And more goosebumps in Chichester, when they stood looking all into the same direction – an emphatic statement for them belonging together as a choir. Lighthouse The surprise of the evening was getting a composition by Josh Madine! I have been following his musical activities for quite a while and like his style. Adequately as being composed by the Libera pianist, Lighthouse started with the piano and then we heard a song that consisted of a variety of parts forming a consistent whole. The beginning solo was sung by Luca Brugnoli with piano accompaniment and already now Josh shone through it: light and jazzy harmony progression and a very nice small, sudden swerve in Luca's melody (suspension). I remember that the song totally relaxed me. I liked the interesting, swaying harmonies that came down at last to a calm ending point to the words "to the one who's always there". Well thought-out! These were the only words I consciously heard, while I otherwise just sank into the music. Later it went into the Latin jazz area even more, a musical style I love very much for that mentioned relax it brings. There is a double duet in this piece, which was performed in the refined way of crossover standing duet partners: In Brighton the four participating soloists stood at the front in one line, in Chichester, due to the lack of space, they had to arrange their positions in staggered manner, and the order was Victor Wiggin - Daniel White - Luca Brugnoli - Morgan Wiltshire. They sang the duet parts alternatingly, first Victor/Luca, afterwards Daniel/Morgan and then started again. Great idea and very nice to hear and to watch! If I remember correctly, the song ended only with these four and on a long a cappella chord. All in all, apart from my personal liking of Lighthouse, it is not really Libera's main style, but very much Josh's style. I do favour Libera singing also this type of music and I was happy to hear them sing it, but with the emphasis on "also", because in my opinion this style, as much as I love it, should not cover too large a part of Libera's repertoire. It was definitely a win for this concert though, and I hope it will remain for a while. Certainly we will find it on their next album. If If is always irresistible. The higher parts, where in earlier cases I noticed some pressing, were mastered by Daniel with fine control. I think he gets quite emotional by this song too and this fact along with the extra-length of the solo and probably the voice change coming into sight are not the easiest task to master. I admire Danie White for this song! What I extremely strong sensed this time was the insistent meter (or is it called measure? I mean that regular beat throughout a song, not to be confused with the rhythm or the time signature), which is an explicit part of the arrangement and which in an earlier review I interpreted as human heartbeat. While in the first verse this was still quite discreet, it urged into the foreground in the second verse, incessantly marking the beat on the way through the song or – through life. From my seat I heard it mainly being played by the piano. It was very stirring and left a huge echo in me, and I understood it as an encouragement to use our lives for what is really important: love, kindness, care. Salva This song is always one of the best and one of my favourite Libera songs for all time. I’m very relieved that it’s in the set list again, because a Libera concert without Salva is just not complete. Joseph Hill sang fantastic Salvas, I like his voice a lot! Once after a "Salva," he, daydreaming, continued to sing the normal verse together with the choir and then realised that it was not his turn, so he shut his mouth to open it again just in time for his next Salva. Salva was one of the examples, where the high notes in Chichester were not loud enough to sufficiently set themselves apart from the choir. Sing For Ever I hadn’t been much into this song before the Ely concert, but there it was one of my highlights! What a difference a life performance can make! While in Ely the song sounded more relaxed than in Brighton. Joseph Hill and Nathan Slater shared the solo, both very good singers with beautiful voices as mentioned before. But while they seemed to struggle a bit in Brighton, all was compensated in Chichester, where they delivered a much better performance. Especially Joseph’s voice at his second entry was so strong, steady and clear that I couldn’t believe what came out of this 9-year-old child. I like to hear Nathan every time, but in my impression he felt much more at home in vocalises than in verses. Vocalising is his thing! Definitely a beautiful duet with an inspired choir. Always With You Morgan Wiltshire has the main solo in this song. His soft voice suits it, so it sounded lovely. He and the flute which joins in the second part, complemented each other not only in tune, but also blended amazingly in sound character. And then Thomas Mushrafi. caught me by surprise fun with his treatment of the vocalises at the end of the first verse. While he sang their first part just as we are used to, at the end he tossed them upwards like balls, which sounded funny and sweet. He did that too in Chichester, but not as distinctly. The second time Joseph Hill sang the vocalises, and as the choir moves at that point in the song, he had to sing them while walking and managed that without being troubled at all, those vocalises just came spot on along his way. Stay With Me Thomas Mushrafi. and Luke Batteson-Dalpiaz share the solo parts, alternating and then singing in unison. Laurence Davey’s vocalises, which in this song are long, were fabulous! All three soloists were fine in Brighton, but better in Chichester. Voca Me At the start of the song, the boys stand on stage facing different directions which fits the intro well with its harmonies resulting from and flowing into each other. This song is still my absolute favourite Libera song, it just always mesmerises me! I was so happy to have it back in concert, even though I prefer its original version, because the “kick” at the first verse is missing due to the Latin words’ rhythm. But it doesn’t matter much: the main thing is to get Voca Me as often as possible and they could with full right perform the long version, as towards the end there would be more room to build up the tension. The climax was so loud in Brighton and Chichester that it made me smile, the drama of the piece was unleashed with vigour. Brilliant, boys! Regarding Luca Brugnoli’s vocalises, I was more convinced of him in Chichester. In Brighton they sounded ponderous in a way and in favour of a good balance between the song here and the vocalises there, which I feel as a contrastive element in this song, I would have wished them to sound more remote, elastic. While I can well imagine that this may be considered the exact opposite way by other listeners and so, if anyone disagreed with me here, I’d understand their view too. In any case: In Chichester I liked Luca better on these vocalises. His voice sounded pin sharp and very precise here, with which he clearly added to said drama. The choir sound was extremely transparent in this song in both concerts. A superb performance! Libera Another all-time favourite of mine. Stunning lighting which reached far behind the choir screen and gave the song a great depth. But before they began, they brought the best non-sung part of a Libera concert ever by demonstrating its 7-harmony part with Daniel White conducting them, accurate conducting! This marvelous idea was started in Ely and is not to be missed. - Interval - Lux Aeterna My Brighton seat directly at the aisle couldn’t have been better, as the boys walked to the stage along the aisle, singing the initial „In paradisum“ chant with the much appreciated chance to hear their voices without mics. Then the second part, still intro, where the choir sings repetitive, interlaced “lux aeterna” phrases, raising the tension more and more ... then fade away, and while I still felt that unrest, Morgan Wiltshire started the verse and wow, the shadows vanished and sun was there! How successfully the sudden contrast was achieved here! His voice entered so gently, so innocent as it’s still a bit childlike, that it was just like spontaneous relief: All uncertainty was gone, all was friendly and benevolent, no room and no reason anymore for fear. This was very striking, especially in Brighton. The rest of the song is history: another light-bath song like Angele Dei, with harmonies soaring above, sparkling all over like light that breaks a thousand times in crystal water drops. In both concerts as well as in Ely I noticed that after this one the applause did not begin directly. Only a moment later, but still noticeable. I like to imagine that the audience feels the impact of this song so strongly that they are unable to clap right away. But maybe it’s simply that, due to the withdrawing final line, one isn’t sure where the song has ended. Orinoco I have a high stack of song suggestions available to fill the place of Orinoco. Ave Maria The decision to have the solo sung by three soloists in unison still riddles me. The first time it looked like Lewis Quinn felt more comfortable with the support by Daniel White and Victor Wiggin, but now ... I don’t really support this handling, as in my opinion the song needs a tenderness that can only be reached by one voice. The solo lines would touch me a lot more if Libera returned to that. The imploring attitude, though, was conveyed very well by the choir and the instrumentalists. Beautiful phrasing in the choir and I love the strings’ pizzicato play in this song, which perfectly fits the delicateness of the song. Far Away Ear-pleasing song with a very nice melody and arrangement, but nothing special. Luca Brugnoli sang the solo with routine. Sacris Solemnis Freddie Mushrafi has his very own singing style, which for me sometimes could be a bit less. But there was that strange experience in Brighton ... Interesting how surprises can always wait for you. When Freddie began his solo, I was at first busy figuring out what it was that I heard: a strong vibrato? Or rather a tremolo? It sounded strange to me and then I noticed that at the end of the lines the sound somehow “flew away”, like dissolving in the free space. I found that fascinating and it fit the piece, exactly because it had something mysterious. After his initial solo, Freddie stepped back to join the choir line. From that position, he later sang the final „gaudia“ – and interesting enough he sang this part in a totally different style now: no vibrato, but straight, strong and full of conviction. It sounded just like a final statement and it was really, really good. Very attractive solo exactly through this unusual and differing singing. I’m no fan of the song itself, but this time I waited for it in Chichester, hoping to hear it again and curious if it would have the same effect on me. However, this night the first part was more “earthly”. The vibrato was noticeable, but different today and the notes didn’t seem to be drawn away into the room like last time. Beati Another surprise composer was Raoul Neumann with his Beati. On Twitter, Libera had released a rehearsal snippet upfront that didn't impress me much tbh, as I found it too much pop-like, but I had only watched it once and assessments are not to be based on a snippet. I trusted in liking the song as soon as I'd hear in full. Who wonders that it worked. All three new songs are wonderfully different. Additionally and worth a note, Beati is written in a bouncy 6/8 measure, which is quite unusual in the Libera repertoire, but as a whole I heard a union of vivid modern style here and typical Libera style manifesting in the harmonies there. The two soloists, Luke Batteson-Dalpiaz and Nathan Slater, started by echoing each other. And to my great joy the back row got some room for shining for themselves! What captivated me most in these first performances was the choreography: Fitting to the ever-changing harmonies and the lively spirit, they changed their formation all the time: came together, strove apart, modified something, until at the very end they all came to the middle to stand in a tight, compact rectangle to strongly sing the final words "integra est!". It had to happen quickly, because shortly before they still stood far apart, and the effect was incredible. Come My Way This song was new in Ely and I like it, while I must part this like a little. I’m not really fond of the verse. It reminds me too much of the typical style of musicals, so that part soundspleasant, yes, but it’s just rather conventional. However, the second part changes that and immediately drew me in already in Ely. The transition to the refrain harmonically indicates already that it’s now becoming interesting and it remains that way, so the refrain was where I found Libera. While the main tune is being sung, other voice parts unfold downwards underneath the main part. I love that! Also other voices came to accompany by a regular “ah – ah – ah”. Very attractive. It gave this basically quiet song an energising note, a highly successful arrangement! I liked it in Ely as well as in Brighton and Chichester. Daniel White sang a sensitive solo. The most important job in this song however is done by the choir, because their accompaniment is so versatile, interesting and uplifting. The aesthetics of lighting I’d like to use Come My Way to compliment Luke Avery on his terrific lighting in Chichester! It was fine in Brighton’s church as well, but as a Cathedral, Chichester possesses that beautiful choir screen (jube? jubé?), whose bows, constructed in two rows, form the ideal scenery to create amazing images. Such architecture allows the light not only to draw pretty images, but, more important, widen the sense of room into the back and thus also widen the songs’ meanings in a particularly perceptible way. Normally appreciating, but still neglecting the lighting much in favour of the music, I was all awe this time. Here and there the lighting even caused tactile sensations, because, when the bows for instance were rose-coloured with a white frame, I almost tasted raspberry-vanilla ice-cream or an artfully manufactured cake. The most haunting lighting effect in my opinion took place in Come My Way.There is a chandelier in the choir stalls in the back, which was illuminated in a way that it sparkled and twinkled, while the surroundings were completely dark. (Remark aside: During the song the chimes were played and especially this sound at the ending while looking at the chandelier was the perfect eye-ear match.) I couldn’t take my eyes off that, while I listened and it was really like a guiding light that still lives on as dark as life may be, and there’s no reason to lose hope as this light will be forever. Very suitable to a song called “Come my way” and its lyrics - - - and noooow, while I’m having a look at these very lyrics again, I see that in the lyrics a comma is set between “Come” and “my Way”. I hadn’t identified that it’s about Jesus being Way, Truth and Life. That’s quite a difference now. I had interpreted “come my way” as an encouragement coming from God to follow him. Anyway that light in the dark, which was emphasised as distinctly as beautifully in the concert, still fits the meaning. I don’t remember if there were other songs with this technique. At least it was most striking here. Grateful Heart This song has never really crossed my way before. Was it always performed as a solo piece? The choir stood with lowered heads and I couldn’t see nor hear anyone else sing except for a discreet second voice by Daniel White. While Luca Brugnoli was singing beautifully and with devotion, I couldn’t help thinking that he was the exactly right one for this song, for how could someone gifted with such a voice of silver shine and such a singing talent not be grateful from the bottom of the heart! He finished the piece with an incredibly long-held note, just glorious! I think that taking Luca with a solo song of this kind into the programme was well thought-out. I am the Day This is a very interesting piece: different moods, enigmatic, bright, flourishing and going back to the mystery, a real dramaturgic construction. At the beginning they all stood there with their heads bowed down, while Morgan Wiltshire sang the solo. With “I am the alpha and omega” more movement got in: more choir singing, more choristers lifted their heads. For “Illuminosa” they were all present then, very well fitting to the word itself, which was accordingly underlined by the lighting, and the sound was one to sink in. The mysterious whisper solos were done by Daniel White, Victor Wiggin and perhaps a third boy. I am the Day was sure one of the best songs in both concerts, equally overwhelming. Encores Sing . That’s the song where all tension falls of and the entire Libera bunch smiles. I’d love to see more such relaxed smiles already in the songs before. During the intro, Morgan Wiltshire and Victor Wiggin stood at the stage’s front, face-to-face and laughing to each other all the time. Uplifting! To sing “Lilililibertate” must be a real challenge and you could see them literally work with high-speed movements of their mouths. That looked so funny! I also love to watch Victor, who rather dances than walks to a new position on stage. Smile Smile gave me one the most precious moments of the concerts: Victor Wiggin, whose signature song it always had been and we all know why, stood in the front together with Mitchel Guy, a newbie. Victor started the song just as usual, but after the first section Mitchel suddenly continued and Victor joined again later for the duet’s second voice. It was practically a long-established soloist handing over a responsibility to the next generation. Such a charming idea! The way this was executed touched me a lot. Mitchel is an astounding soloist. He was very good, and he did smile. His singing style gave the piece an own character already, quite interesting and pleasant to listen to. His voice is clear and distinct. Especially in Chichester I loved watching him sing, because he looked so relaxed, in dreams, fully content! I imagine that he had received plenty of deserved compliments, and so he could let himself just fall into the music and enjoy. What a feeling this must be! After the lively Sing which caused frenetic applause, the thoughtful Smile was an appropriate final song to calm the audience down again, have them accept the concerts’ end and go home pleased and with a smile. Miscellaneous The position of the orchestra members in Ely, sitting in one row along in front of the stage, brought chickens on a perch to my mind, and I found them being treated like a mere scenery for the choir, although they provide such an essential contribution to the whole. In Brighton the feeling was better – my memory may deceive me, but I think Ely’s stage was higher and so the musicians were less in the field of vision. In Chichester all was different anyway: Due to the small stage, the orchestra sat in blocks. Joseph Hill: The entire evening in Brighton I often caught him moving along to the music, although restrained. You could tell that he’d have liked to do more in this regard. He seems to have a good feeling of rhythm or music in general resp., which is no wonder. Very nice to see. Morgan Wiltshire: He always seems to be at peace with himself. I was happy to see him complete the trefoil of the super-experienced Daniel, Luca and Victor to a four-leaf clover in Lighthouse. He is a reliable singer, always knows what the current task is and never seems nervous. I can well see him guiding the younger ones in the future. Ethan Hutchinson.: He is a newbie and it was an enjoyment to watch him. He was very focused and awake and he sang with all his heart. Certainly he loves to be a part of the choir. Regarding the speeches: I love them all! They form an important part in a Libera concert, they announce, inform and make us laugh, and they are mostly admirably well performed by the boys. Speaking well is also a skill. Therefore (looking over to The Furby ) I advocate providing an own mention of them in the individual concert listings of his fabulous Libera database, as they’d deserve it. Lewis Quinn brought out the “If” pun much better than in Ely, he emphasised the word more and made a small pause, so we, the slow-minded audience, could comprehend and Lewis received the proper laughter. Although Laurence Davey went through a few minor mishaps during his speeches, he continues to be my favourite speaker. His speaking voice is just perfect for my listening pleasure: in register, sound, tone and tempo. Always happy here when he gets ready for a speech. My highlight in all three Ely- Brighton-Chichester concerts was Daniel White’s announcement of the following song being called – oh the fortunate coincidence! – Libera: “just in case you’ve forgotten who we are.”. Yes, that’s always quite a worry: to sit in a Libera concert and have no clue who in the world those people on stage are.  Many thanks for taking the matter in your hands! Especially in Ely Daniel mentioned that so casually that I had to tell myself very sternly not to further think of it or I’d burst into laughter and disturb such significant song.Thomas Sandoval-Herrera then had the unpopular job of informing the audience that the concert was coming to its end. Our pain was reduced however by getting two (!) encores, which was such a great surprise in Brighton. In Chichester we were already used to the new style ... well, in Cologne we say: “The first time we tried it, the second time it's a tradition and the third time it's ancient customs.” So this must sure be maintained! Yet, audience, be warned: Two encores mean three standing ovations, so everyone please see to be trained fit for a Libera concert. In one of the speeches they revealed that a new album is underway to be released in 2023 with “lots of compositions by Libera members”. It’s a wonderful thing not only to have a large pool of good singers, but also of skilful composers to provide enough musical food for Libera’s future. A superb highlight for me would be a (re-)visit – I’m aware it was never performed live – of the phenomenal Touch the Sky, of which I’m convinced they’re able to sing it live, while I also feel a hopeful spark that Ben See is going to be among those mentioned composers. Moose has advanced from their mascot and from being the most traveled moose in the world to also being Libera’s executive producer. So, under the professional management of Moose, I have no idea what could go wrong with the upcoming album. There were several small, but fine changes, not radical which is good, but some adjustments here and there, such as the addition of another encore or how they passed the solo on to the successor. So they gently try out new ideas and other musical styles. As their name Libera expresses it, this is completely rightful, while I hope that they generally take care to never let go of their “unique selling propositions”, which Koji Shinojubo, to my joy and ever relief partly lists in one of the speeches. Things to compliment on All. But particularly the dedication which each and everyone, the choir members, the orchestra, the two musical leaders, the staff invest into Libera. As sad as it is to leave after a Libera concert, it nevertheless happens with a bright feeling, relaxed and inspired at the same time. Thank you all!—filiarheni On August 11th, the nearly ubiquitous Patrick (aka Fan_de_LoK) posted, on the Libera Dreams Forum, a detailed report on Libera's appearance at the August 5th Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire. Since no restrictions were placed on recording or photography or recording, Patrick was able to take multiple photos of the boys onstage and backstage. He also provided a running commentary on the performance, which had been altered to account for a number of the singers not present, and was cut off early because of a late start. All of this can be found on the Libera Dreams Forum under the heading "Concerts and Public appearances," page 3 under the title "Oxfordshire Wilderness Festival."  Dominik Clarke conducts seven-part harmony.  Boys resting backstage  In formation for "Lighthouse" On August 11th, Patrick posted a recap of upcoming Libera-related Creative World episodes: Some interesting Creative World episodes will be available soon. Here a recap of some dates to have in mind for Youtube watching.  Joseph Hill, Daniel White and Morgan Wiltshire with composer Takatsugu Muramatsu This corresponds to 01:00 AM the day next for London time BST (British Summer Time), which is another name of UTC+1 Then, speaking in BST time (London), the 4 episodes to come that we should watch closely will be available on Youtube starting : - Sunday 21 August at 01:00 AM : composer Takatsugu Muramatsu, part 1 - Sunday 28 August at 01:00 AM : composer Takatsugu Muramatsu, part 2 - Sunday 3 September at 01:00 AM : Libera, part 1 - Sunday 10 September at 01:00 AM : Libera, part 2 Reminder for the Creative World Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/c/CreativeWorldTVshow/videos  On August 21st, the first Libera-related episode of the TV program Creative World aired in the form of an extensive interview with Japanese composer Takatsugu Muramatsu on CWTVHollywood. Patrick provided links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eOkSDhjRNc&t=291s(Creative World interview with Tagatsugu Muramatsu /2021/14:22) 
On August 27th, a tweet from Libera soloist Luca Brugnoli, who also announced that his Kickstarter fundraiser to produce a solo CD had achieved its target: So proud to be singing at this on 8th October. This will be my first participation in a professional concert as a solo artist.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqLITu74f_8(Winner of the Japanese Omagari Fireworks contest, set to Libera’s “Angel”/solo by Isaac London/3:34) On September 4th, a posting by Patrick on the Libera Dreams Forum: So today is the release on Youtube of the video "Message clips of Libera & Alumni, part 1".  Camden Stewart, interviewed by Creative World at the Robert Prizeman memorial concert. The video was recorded in early May, at St John Church, Upper Norwood, after Robert's event. The parts of the video : - An introduction from Taishi Mizuno, the producer of Creative World, and Yoko Kodama, the representative of Libera in Japan, - An interview of Koji Shinokubo. - Short clips messages from Libera Alumni Daniel Fontannaz, Peter Kielty, Taichi Shinokubo, Michael Horncastle, Ben Philipp, Camden Stewart, Ben Crawley, Ciaran Bradbury-Hickey, Josh Madine. There will be a part 2 next week. The video has some blurred background, I guess to respect the privacy of the boys and families that were there, On 9/9/22:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rhUbusUGJw&t=31s(September 9th, 2022/Tribute to Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II by the London Symphony Orchestra with pianist Ian Mulder and Libera/4:56) In August, Libera appeared, on the soundtrack of a video game, singing in both French and Latin:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ftf6c0euyo (Libera on soundtrack of Card Shark video game/credits/2022/3:04) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_ik0Y5vprw&t=42s(Libera on soundtrack of Card Shark video game “Codex Des Huelgas”/2022/1:55)   This week's episode on Youtube begins with "Ave Maria" (solo by Tadgh Fitzgerald), from the online concert in 2020 at 5:54. Then, from 8:10' to 11:15, it shows messages from Libera Alumni Liam Connery, Ben Crawley, Sammy Moriarty, Matthew Madine, Jakob De Menezes-Wood, Jonathan Barrington, Raoul Neumann, and Steven Geraghty.  Also, at 13:05 the video has a short announcement from Daniel White and Nathan Slater.  On September 22nd, fan Yorkie posted (on the Libera Dreams site) a pandemic-era video of Libera singing "God Save the Queen" for a Royal Viking Cruise Lines gathering. Royal Viking has sponsored Libera on a number of tours. On September 23rd, fan luckdragon posted (also on Libera Dreams) several video clips of performances by Libera's Luca Brugnoli, in a concert at the Chequermeade Theatre in East Grinstead.  Luca Brugnoli sings “Bring me to Life” live at the Chequermead Theatre, East Grinstead performing with Aspirations Dance/Sep 23, 2022) On September 24th, a new video from Creative World: short interviews with Libera soloists Joseph Hill (9 years old), Daniel White (13), and Morgan Wiltshire (11).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uhFBUJN8nA&t=624s (Libera boys Joseph Hill, Daniel White, and Morgan Wiltshire interviewed on Creative World, September 4th, 2022/4:28) On October 1st, Luca Brugnoli posted a lovely video on YouTube, his version of "Vincent, By Don McLean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUrTL3GkYwE&t=270s(Vincent, sung by Luca Brugnoli/October 2022/5:00) On October 2nd, Creative World featured a Q&A interview with Sam Coates, Libera's music director.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXBXh6pNOfg&t=279s(Creative World Interview with Sam Coates/October, 2022/4:38) On October 5th, Libera tweeted Morgan Wiltshire announcing a 2023 US tour.   On October 10th, fan seraphita posted on the Libera Dreams Forum: "Great tiktok channel of Camden Stewart: https://www.tiktok.com/@camdenmusique " Libera alumnus Camden Stewart (2012-2018) plays the theme from Westworld.  Daniel and Tadgh  Cassius   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK9SsQOpFk4&t=22s(Holiday light displays accompanied by Libera’s “Carol of the Bells”/10-2022/1:07:05)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jYdwslqygA (Boys’ semi-finals of the 2022/ Young Chorister of the Year Semi Finals/11-2022/39:09)   CONCERT AT ST. JOHN'S SMITH SQUARE, December 4th, 2022    Cory Agyei Hal Avery Ethan Barron Nathaniel Bates Fisher Orlando Benedict Cameron Birmingham Luca Brugnoli Leon Clarke Laurence Davey John Gardener Mitchel Guy Oskar Handstveit Julian Heitman Joseph Hill Frederick Howarth Ethan Hutchinson Oscar James Ludwik Kowalczyk Alexandre Menuet Mathias Montoro Frederick Mushrafi Thomas Mushrafi Lewis Quinn Thomas Sandoval Herrerra Koji Shinokubo Nathan Slater Jack Spicha Laurence Taylor Pietro Vergari Samuel Whaley Daniel White Victor Wiggin Morgan Wiltshire (Morgan Wiltshire and Thomas Mushrafi were absent.)  Staff and Musicians:  Two new songs:    An announcement was made at the concert that a new CD, Forever, will be coming out in the spring.    On December 9th, a review of the concert by Padmachou Hi everyone. Here comes my full extensive review...  Right before the concert, Patrick and I noticed some mini-boys sitting on the side of the stage with a chaperone, except they were wearing blue shirts and trousers… not the white robes, meaning they would not go on stage. There were 5 of them I believe. Their names are not mentioned on the program and they were not introduced, maybe they were not ready yet. They did attend the concert to see how it is to be done, though. FIRST PART  The concert started with the usual record of one boy asking people to turn off their phones and all. It used to be Daniel White'svoice but they changed it, presumably to Joseph Hill’s voice. Might be that since Daniel White’s voice is breaking it is fitting that a new younger boy takes the role. The boys entered the stage and made half a circle in the dark, for Ding Dong Merrily on High, a classic Christmas song, still fantastic. Though I like a soft mysterious one better to start a concert.  Nathan Slater, Samuel Whaley, Orlando Benedict The next piece was Sanctus. This is not a piece I really am eager to hear live, we have heard it a lot. But I enjoyed it actually, Luca Brugnoli'shigh and long notes being very beautiful and well handled.  Luca Brugnoli Lewis Quinn and Pietro Vergani did the first speech. It was the first speech for Pietro Vergani and he looked very pleased, very happy and smiling !  Lewis Quinn I was glad we got to hear Walking in the Air, with Luca Brugnoli doing the solo. Perfect and amazing. The boys did not kneel as they used to, and I realized they did never kneel during this concert, maybe they quit the habit (some mentioned it might be uncomfortable). I really like the intro of this song when sang live, I always find it softer and silkier than on the album. Wexford Carol’s solo was Laurence Davey. For very secret classified reasons I will not mention, something like “I found a piece of paper lying on the floor and it happened to belong to Steven’s music stand with notes on the soloists”, (but let’s not talk about it), I believe Morgan Wiltshire was supposed to do this solo, but since he wasn’t there he was replaced. Laurence did not give the impression of being a last minute soloist at all, he enjoyed himself and we enjoyed it as well. I like his simple soft way of doing things. Also, this piece is one of my favorite Christmas songs by Libera.  Laurence Davey Gaudete started with the usual solo, careful, it was not Freddie Mushrafi’s solo, but Frederick Howarth’s ! It was his first solo ever and a good one. This song is a Christmas must-have as well, with the boys sometimes facing the center of the stage, and sometimes turning their back to the center of the stage. And then during the "gaudete" part they make half a circle and they face the audience for the last part, very spectacular.  Frederick Howarth Sing for Ever was really, really, really good. I mean it was smooth, more assertive than this summer, and I also believe some harmonies were added at some point for Daniel White, Luca Brugnoli and Victor Wiggin. Nathan Slater and Joseph Hill were fantastic. When the concert ended, it was the song I was humming… yep…  Joseph Hill Daniel White and Laurence Davey then made a speech, I am unsure but I think they talked about the future album coming in 2023, and they mentioned the previous Libera members composing songs, especially Josh Madine and Raoul Neumann, who were there playing instruments.  The Lighthouse also seemed more “stable” than last summer, but it might be that the melody is more and more familiar to me. I found Luca Brugnoli more subtile than powerful and I liked that. It seems obvious since he is doing the Young Chorister and is working on his album, but I shall say it : Luca is at his peak. I really like the end of this song, with Luca, Daniel White, Nathan Slater and Victor Wiggin are singing front stage with elaborate melodies.  Victor Wiggin, Daniel White, Luca Brugnoli and Nathan Slater I loved Voca Me, though I like the old version better, but the vocalizes were perfect, almost "Thomas DL in Ireland" perfect ! Also Daniel White sang like he was praying he could sing every second of his life on earth. Very moving. Beati started with Nathan Slater and Pietro Vergani (it was his first solo). This might be the less favorite of the new songs to me, though I have to say it sounds like Libera (mix of Latin and Engllsh, vocalizes, nice beat). I feel something strange about this one : I bet I’m going to like the record better than the live performance, I find its rhythm is quite difficult and they might not nail it exactly on stage.  Hal Avery, Pietro Vergani and Freddie Mushrafi Nathan Slater and Daniel White said the first part was coming to and end, and they introduced the "lovely white robes” on which they should not spill anything. Of course, Daniel had a brown spot on his robe. They also demonstrated how the choir splits into seven parts on Libera. Libera was great, with Mitchel Guy, Freddie Mushrafi, and Luca Brugnoli helping at the end.  Mitchell Guy SECOND PART The "bigs" entered the stage first, and they sang Conditor Alme Siderum, with a small solo from Johnny Gardener, who has a very soft warm voice (AND is this his first solo ever ? I do not remember his soloing as a treble). I would like them to do a full-length version of it and record it, this is a nice piece and a great tribute to the bigs’ voices.  Johnny Gardener The music did not stop, and transformed into Carol of the Bells, the other boys entered the stage. Small issue : who did the vocalizes ? I could not see who did the first one. Now, there is a very secret paper we shall not mention, with "Mush" mentioned as a soloist. And there are two boys named Mushrafi, Thomas Mushrafi missing though his name is on the program. Freddie Mushrafi is mentioned twice as Freddie on some secret paper, so, who is "Mush?" I say Thomas was meant to do this part, and someone replaced him. Lucy said she thought Laurence did the solo, and we do know a Laurence boy who already replaced someone for a solo… Do you still follow me? Anyway, Freddie M or Laurence Davey both seem possible. The second solo is fine : Cameron Birmingham did it (his first real solo ? last year he was a duo on this same part). And the final part was Oskar Handsveit (first solo for him).  Cameron Birmingham Hal Avery and Oscar James (different from Oskar Handstveit.) did a speech. They talked about the Bigs and their song, and introduced Noel Nouvelet. ), and Laurence D. Very nicely handled.  Ethan Hutchinson Come My Way was unexpected, I did not think Daniel White could handle the solo. Last year at Christmas, rumor had it that his voice would break in 3 months… well, this has been a very long 3rd month indeed. You can hear his voice is changing, and I suspect he used to sing some parts as a treble and now he was singing a lower part. But so beautiful ! This boy really has something unique, and I have to say: he is one of the top 5 best Libera soloists ever. I can’t wait to be able to hear this Come My Way song again and again.   Koji Shinokubo and Hal Avery Ave Verum was the surprise, and the reason it was worth it spending 2 hours in the cold outside SJSS (also people around there were friendly). We heard the song during the rehearsal, some interpretation of Albinoni’s Adagio. With a mysterious soloist… and I still have goosebump when I think about it. Hearing this very powerful voice through the wooden doors almost felt more mystic and precious than hearing the song live during the concert. It was of course Freddie Mushrafi, fantastic in the way Dominik Clarke was fantastic on Cum Dederit, Thomas Delgado-Little with Ave Maria, Isaac London on Danny Boy, and with something very dramatic. I can’t wait to hear the song again, and… yeah, I was so hypnotized by Freddie, and he smashed the choir, and so I can’t really remember what the rest of them were doing.  Freddie Mushrafi Smile was the next song, Victor Wiggin nicely starting and then doing the low part with Mitchell Guy leading the way. This piece really fits him, he is a great recruit this Mitchell. I feel like he could be really powerful, and he does not believe in it enough but, if he could relax he would be even more amazing. His nice timid voice already pleases me.  Mitchell Guy Ave Maria was a trio for Luca Brugnoli, Daniel White and Laurence Davey. To me, it probably is the less interesting song of this concert. RP’s Ave Maria is fantastic, that is not the issue, but this trio does not work, there is no special formation on stage either. It just does not work for me, I regret the time when Merlin Brouwer or Ben Bywater did it, and they did something personal and moving with it. God Only Knows was a surprise to me, I thought I would not like it. I would not say I loved it, and I really need to hear it again (I should not wait too long), but it was nice and I liked the way Luca, Daniel and Victor shared the lyrics like they were talking to each other. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogaYPy2aiNY&t=5s(God Only Knows/Luca Brugnoli, Daniel White and Victor Wiggin/2022/3:02) Julian Heitman did a speech to say goodbye, and also, Merry Christmas. Julian Heitman The final song was I Saw Three Ships. Julian said they love to sing it because they get to say Christmas a lot, and “can you guess how many times” ? Well, I don’t know if he does, but it must be a lot, indeed. This is a nice song, but honestly, excuse-me, but I do not remember it really, I was just overwhelmed that the concert was already coming to an end ! They bowed and we stood up, and Steven Geraghty soon started the encore, which was… Sing ! Still awesome, more and more precise in execution, special mention to Joseph Hill and Leon Clarke who could not stop dancing (me neither, guys, me neither… ).  Leon Clarke I am now a 100% sure the covid crises did not damage the quality of the choir, nor the quality of the solos, and the soloists were numerous and talentuous. They all look more confident, and the newbies from last year are doing just fine, thank you very much. Also we spotted some serious soloists for the years to come. I am curious to see what the post-Daniel White era will be like, he somehow is the “main Libera member”, leading both in a musical and "behaviour" way (leading when they change position on stage, smiling confidently to the youngers…). But Libera never disappointed us, and always has a new talent up their sleeves, Freddie Mushrafi demonstrated it in a shiny (dazzling ) way. —Padmachou END OF YEAR ODDS & ENDS On December 11th, it was revealed that Luca Brugnoli had come in second (runner-up) in the BBC's Young Chorister of the year competition. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Los02Xmq4&t=64s(Luca Brugnoli sings “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Chilcott in the finals of the BBC’s 2022 Young Chorister of the Year competition/5:08)
 This occasioned quite a bit of online discussion about the wisdom of having 10-12-year-old boys competing against 16-yer-old young women. It was suggested that the BBC return to separate boys' and girls' competitions, or to a 14-year-old age limit. This was underlined by a video of the winner, 16-year-old Naomi  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY7qCzhfT20 (16-year-old Naomi, 2022winner of the BBC’s Young Chorister of the Year competition, sings “Mary, Did You Know?”/3:20) On December 16th, Libera released "Come My Way." a second song from the upcoming Forever CD. The arrangement was unfinished at the time of Robert Prizeman's death, and was completed by Libera Music Director Sam Coates.  Soloist Daniel White https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoAgr5PFJ14 (Come My Way/solo by Daniel White/Forever/2022/4:12)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjgD3FwRS5A&t=1s(When Christmas Comes to Town/Luca Brugnoli/2022/4:38)  On December 23rd, this video became available on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khSpdVFvjCU&t=3s (An Audience with Luca/solo cancert performed live on 12-10-22/38:12) This is the audio recorded from 'An Audience with Luca' performed live on 10th December 2022. The concert was a small affair arranged for some amazing 'Kickstarter' backers. Video content has been withheld in order to honour those who had financially supported Luca at an extremely high level. However, we just had to share this with everyone. All audio is totally unedited and not auto-tuned. We anticipate that Luca will host several solo concerts next year and look forward to releasing dates within time. On December 23rd, Libera released a "backstage video" shot during rehearsal and performance of their holiday concert on December 4th, along with their annual Christmas greeting.  One-time spokesboy Daniel White (L) coaches Oscar James through the recording of the message re videoing and recording, to be played to the audience pre-concert. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1Q4lysjqBo (Libera December 4th, 2022 concert behind the scenes and Christmas message/6:09) During the holiday season, vocal coach Tara Simon gave a spirited and instructive review of Libera's "Carol of the Bells." Tara Simon reacts spontaneously to the first "Gloria" in "Carol of the Bells." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQnIzK-ToEA&t=389s (Vocal Coach Tara Simon reviews Libera’s video of “Carol of the Bells”/2022/6:34)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Qi85uu2YQ ( Libera alumnus Ed Day (now Ed Night) appears in an extendedITVX x Matthew Macfadyen ad video/2022/3:52)On December 26th, a discovery by The Furby of an HD version of a 1996 Libera/Angel Voices performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb1N7Ed1dx0 (Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti performing “Live Like Horses” on the television program The National Lottery Live with Libera as backup Chorus/1996/5:11)
On December 29th, a posting from Libera of the US: News from Libera Boys Choir As you might remember, we sent an email a couple years ago expressing our plans to bring Libera back to the US. That was in 2020. Little did we (or the world) know, but the pandemic had different plans. We feel that 2023 is now the right time to give this another try. You may also remember our pledge to look for venues on both sides of the US and we have followed through with those plans, securing concert dates in New York State, Washington DC, and California. We won’t officially announce the venues until it’s all on paper, but we’re confident that the concerts will happen. We’ve raised about half of the funds we’ll need to organize the tour and would like to ask for your help to reach our goal for 2023. Libera of the US is a 501(c)3 charity, so US taxpayers may deduct their donations on their taxes. We hope you ‘ll consider our choir for a year-end 2022 donation. You can make your donation by following the link below when you click the “DONATE NOW” button. Or visit https://uslibera.org/donate We also encourage donors to consider setting up a monthly donation. Monthly donations help us to plan ahead with some amount of stability and confidence that we’ll have enough funds to plan for another tour. To do so click “Make this donation monthly” when you set up your donation. Libera of the US would like to thank all of those donors who have made touring Libera in the United States possible, and welcome all of our new 2022 donors. DONATE NOW Happy New Year! On December 31st, the Los Angeles-based TV show Creative World featured a 30-minute "concert" by Libera, composed of three songs ( "Sing for Our World," "Once an Angel," and "Deep Peace")from the 2020 livestreamed St. John's Smith Square concert, and three music videos—"Cum Dederit," Sing Lullabye," and "Salve regina." Intro was done by Mitchel Guy and Nathan Slater, "outro" by Joseph Hill. Pictured below, from "Cum Dederit," are Jack Spicha, Laurence Taylor, Neo Parson and Tadgh Fitzgerald.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQJ9Mox_L8Q (2022 Libera Holiday Special on Creative World/29:30) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Qi85uu2YQ ( Libera alumnus Ed Day (now Ed Night) appears in an extendedITVX x Matthew Macfadyen ad video/2022/3:52)On December 26th, The Furby posted an enhanced 1996 video of Libera/Angel Voices boys (in un accustomed red robes) backing Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti on "Live Like Horses."  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb1N7Ed1dx0 (Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti performing “Live Like Horses” on the television program The National Lottery Live with Libera/Angel Voices boys  as backup Chorus/1996/5:11)
End of Part 15A; For Part 16, please go to: https://libhisttimeline16.blogspot.com |
