Music To My Ears

The Singapore Lyric Opera Children's Choir and Youth Choir brought to life many delightful tunes from popular musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "Les Miserables". With their angelic voices and youthful enthusiasm, they brought back memories for the not-so-youthful (this reviewer included) in the audience, with songs like "My Favourite Things", "Do Re Mi" and "Annie's Song". Interestingly, the performance also attracted a relatively young crowd, and the lively renditions captured the attention and imagination of several toddlers scattered amongst the audience. In particular, the playful "Duet for Two Cats", perhaps the song with the easiest lyrics to remember, charmed quite a few laughs from the performers and the audience alike.

The selection of songs was well done, and the pop section thrown in in the second half was cute without being cheesy. A visible effort was made to engage and entertain, especially with the colourful lollipop props used to great comic effect in the performance of the catchy 1950s' hit "Lollipop". A couple of tunes from "The Magic Flute" was also performed with gusto, giving the audience a short preview of SLO's upcoming show later this month.

For an amateur performance, "The Sound of Music" provided a good time for all, and it was heartening to see the young members of the choir singing their hearts out and swaying unself-consciously to the music. Kudos must be given to the SLO for their continuing commitment to educating the public and engaging the youth in the opera, and "The Sound of Music" did provide an easy and pleasant start to the musical journey, and was especially inspiring and enjoyable for many of the younger ones in the audience, who, propped up on their booster seats, couldn't help but bob their heads to the catchy tunes.