The concert in LA was my first Libera concert across the pond and in some ways it felt like my first ever Libera concert. There were so many impressions and it all went by in a flash. Also I was seated in the first row, which had not happened since my first concert in 2009. This spot was just perfect and I thank those who helped save my spot in the line!
There was a really good crowd last night, young and old. Not sure if it was sold out but it looked like a full house. The merchandise was set up in the cathedral gift shop (already a few days before the concert) and afterwards it was pretty crowded there, many people buying something to sign in the line-up.
Before I give my impressions of the concert, there is some good news: Nearer my God to Thee was filmed last night! So a recording now exists, however, what will happen to it I don't know. Hopefully we will get to see it someday. Until then, it's very nice to know that those voices have been preserved.
So, concert impressions!
Mysterium started off and I was still bewildered to be where I was
The ooh's in the intro sounded lovely and mysterious and Leo's high parts were spot on.
Joyful Joyful sounded good, just very well done. With the lights on the boys' faces I thought I detected some fatigue but it was not audible in their singing.
My first highlight was In Paradisum. There is something about that song that gets to me like very few other songs. Rocco sings his solo crystal clear and with urgency. The first chorus, with the word Jerusalem, really moved me, with the big lights reflecting on the cathedral floor.
The Prayer next, which caused the first wet eyes of the night for me. Daniel is really growing into his role on the stage and it's obvious he's enjoying every bit of it.
Stay With Me was the song I hoped for most and Oliver sang his solo wonderfully. His voice has a clear shine to it which reminds me of gold. He delivers his solo in his own style, very controlled and centered. The high parts by Sam formed a nice pairing with that. All in all a great fresh take on this Libera classic.
Ave Maria followed and this felt like a genuine prayer to me. Merlin sang with calm and great sensitivity and the choir sounded exceptionally powerful and colourful. Again wet eyes.
No time to recover as How Great Thou Art followed which also has emotional meaning to me. Alex G was able to bring that to life with his beautiful deep round voice.
After this rollercoaster of emotion Smile was a welcome gentle breather, enhanced beautiully by Alex M's deep notes.
The first half finished with this theme of contrast, with Voca Me and Orinoco Flow. Voca was performed flawlessly and the buildup to the climax took my breath away - more than any other time I heard this song live.
Orinoco was sung with joy and gusto and again the choir sounded very colourful. A great, fun, beautiful piece of music.
Just like at Ely, the interval came after what only felt like five minutes
I Am The Day was great, all the dynamics were there. By now I noticed how rich the range of expression of this generation is. At one point the "alpha and omega" was sung so delicately I had the image of feathers floating on water, a sensation which was repeated in a couple of other songs.
From a Distance followed, sung very much 'together'. Merlin seemed to really enjoy this solo. A great effort by all.
Then probably the greatest highlight of the concert came for me, at least in terms of emotion: Wayfaring stranger. This song got to me more than any other and carried significant meaning into my heart. Alex Gula, thank you for your beautiful, incredible solo.
Amazing Grace was sung elegantly and Peter's solo was lovely - like most of the performances this tour his solo has grown since Ely. Peter's voice is very gentle, as was Ralph's or Michael H's.
Sanctus was performed to perfection. I just love this new arrangement!
Salva next, with wonderful Salva's by Oliver WR in the mysterious dark blue light.
Eternal Light next - was there no end to the treats they were giving us? Almost not
I remember the clarinet sounding especially beautiful in this song and in fact the musicians deserve a mention as well. In the acoustics of the cathedral the music and the voices blended wonderfully, with just the right accent here and there, like the horn in America the Beautiful or the plucking strings in Ave Maria.
Then it was time for Nearer my God to Thee. Just thinking back on hearing the voices a capella and how they blended one by one gives me a sensation of goosebumps and a lump in my throat.
Libera signalled the end of the concert. It was the one song I have the least connection to so for me it did not feel like the grand finale it was probably intended to be. Or maybe I just started to feel sad it was almost over.
After a standing ovation America the Beautiful began and it was a joy to watch Dominic's beaming face as he sang that song with all his heart
Another standing ovation including a slightly bewildered Robert on stage, hailed as "maestro!" from the crowd.
What came next was my first ever proper M&G which is an experience in itself
I was able to thank Oliver and others for their performances. Special mention goes to Koji. He had mentioned in his speech how this was his first time so far away from home. So I told him that being in LA was for me the furthest I have ever been away from home and that I had travelled just to hear them sing. His reaction was priceless, completely "shocked" and smiling
Also, Leo said "Respect!" when I told him I had come from the Netherlands and wrote that on my program
Also nice was Ben B's question which song I liked best - I loved how he threw me off by asking that
Also I was not allowed to say Nearer my God or America the Beautiful
I finally settled for Wayfaring stranger and told him and Oliver who was also listening that it was one of the songs that had brought tears to my eyes.
All in all this was a wonderful concert experience. I am also grateful for meeting some new fans, including ones I had only talked to online before, as well as being introduced to Eleanor Lewis.
Full of memories... And now a few days to let them sink in before the final concert of this tour.