Mozart’s C Minor Mass and Puccini’s Messa di Gloria reverberated around the candlelit interior of Thaxted church as Harlow Chorus, the Brandenburg Sinfonia and four accomplished soloists, provided a glorious prelude to Christmas.

From the opening Kyrie of Mozart’s masterpiece to Puccini’s closing Agnus Dei the concert inspired and delighted by turns. Although written a century apart both works are imbued with a sense of the dramatic and the young Puccini had no hesitancy at introducing grand opera into his unapologetically extravagant affair.

Mozart’s constant invention lies at the heart of his masterpiece. The work explodes with an irrepressible, driving spirit of celebration that culminates in the final climactic Osanna.

Puccini provides a haunting and evocative melody for his opening Kyrie before allowing the Gloria to burst onto the scene with an explosion of carnival vitality.  Then, as though not to be outdone, the Qui tollis marches in, raising the roof with festive excess. It is a joyous, fervent, brash and garish work that gives a sense of great operatic moments to follow.

The chorus, framed by the high arch of the west tower, rose to the occasion magnificently, the four clear and powerful voices of the soloists conveyed every nuance of the drama while the orchestra, under the direction of  the Musical Director of Harlow Chorus, Sarah Tenant - Flowers, excelled.

The audience, warmed by the spirit of the evening -  and no doubt the mulled wine at the interval - left the church fortified for the weeks ahead and delighted by a pre-Christmas present better than any could have imagined.

Laurence Sach