http://www.conbriovoices.org.uk/
Their opening song was Gabriel's Trumpet, the favorite song of Roger Hazelden.
Roger and his wife Valerie are now Stelpians. A little more than a year ago, they moved here from England. Roger then had to leave behind his choir where he used to sing with such a pleasure. But the choir came out to see the Hazeldens, and, meanwhile, give delight with their songs to the people here.
Wonderful songs sang with vigour and true dedication spoke to the hearts of Latvian people, and they even joined in singing by the measure of what was possible for them to share in in terms of language and knowledge of the music. But when we heard Ai jel manu vieglu pratu (Only too light-minded have I been...) in perfect Latvian, everyone sang along and clapped hands.
The conductor of the choir is Shirley Smith. Latvian tour has originally been her idea, and she has worked on that with great determination. So we can now see and enjoy the fruit of the hard work she has done together with each and every member of the choir.
Latvian musicians and music teachers Liga Karpinska (piano) and Mara Lagzdina (cello) played four compositions of Latvian romanticism authors which, by their conclusion, tend to give the most accurate idea of a "typical" Latvian classical music.
Bijouterie artist Lidiya Reinberga had brought some samples from her collection. She invited the choir to visit her at home to see the whole collection. This will hardly be possible this time since the program seems to be quite dense. But we hope for a next tour in not too far future, don't we? Then the choir will, no doubt, visit Lidiya and see her works of art.
Decorative gardeners Inese and Juris Strubergs wanted to invite the choir to see their all competition winning best decorative garden of Latvia. This too might be something for the next visit since this visit is already planned full to what is humanly possible to manage. You can follow the link and see their 18 pictures placed on the Internet. Unfortunately you won't find there any texts in English. But go there nevertheless and enjoy the pictures!
The members of the choir were all pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome they felt from the Latvian audience. They said they felt really encouraged for the next concerts.
Tomorrow (August 2) they will go to Mersrags and have a concert there.
But on Monday, August 3 at 4 P.M. we welcome everybody to Stelpe School to meet with those wonderful people and hear them sing. We know already that some of the Vecumnieki spectators will be present. They enjoyed so very much today's atmosphere.
Many thanks also to Valda Kaufmane, the manager of Vecumnieki Culture House, for permission to use the premises.
Below you will see some photographs from the Vecumnieki concert.
Shirley Smith and Con Brio
Shirley Smith 
Piano duet 
Accompanist and her helper
Latvian musicians Liga and Mara playing for the guests from England 
The Wiltshire Times article appeared in the paper on Friday August 14th and was written by Con Brio's Publicity Officer, Lesley Hunt.
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