In our car going, Malc, Therese ( the French lady of Selgues church fame ) and I met at 4.30pm to drive to Puycelsi for the concert at Eglise Saint Corneille. We arrived got our tickets, left our jackets on our seats and went for a drink. We got back at 6 ready for the concert.
It was divine.
Mark Opstad the Director of the Maitrise Choir at the Conservatoire of Toulouse had brought his young choir to sing the Requiem Gabriel Fauré and the Requiem Tomas Luis Victoria. The church was packed and I whispered to Therese, it is full of the proud Mums and Dads.
The first half was really wonderful and Malc followed the choir out for the interval. Therese did not want to go so I felt I needed to stay with her. (we had both been sniffling and drying our eyes seeing and hearing the cherubic children)
The two couples who were on the front row directly in front of us stayed in also. I tapped both couples on the shoulder and asked if they were parents. both couples were. They then told us which were their children, how old they were, one was only eleven and how proud they were. Mark Opstad they said was a hard task master and very strict but the youngsters loved him. Both parents felt lucky to have Mark at Toulouse and all felt it was something the children would remember all their lives regardless of going on to musical careers or not.
The second half was equally good and a young boy and girl soloist, delighted us all. I had asked a man taking photos if he would email a couple to TAG and he said he would. I told the parents about TAG and gave them a card and they said they would look to see the photos. One man said he spoke a little English which would help. Both sets of parents were delighted with Therese and I being so beguiled by their talented children.
All in all another great early evening at Puycelsi. A big thank you once again to Ross and Ginny and the team for setting it all up and to Mark and his choir for leaving Toulouse for the night and coming to Puycelsi.
The beautiful church at Puycelsi will benefit with the funds raised going to church restoration.
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