Concert review by William Chan
On Friday night, Cantate Chorus delivered a spellbinding concert titled “How can I keep from singing?” at Our Lady of Fátima Church, in the northern district. The evening celebrated nearly a year since the ensemble’s establishment. Their enthusiastic, energetic, and unapologetically vibrant performance left a full house – myself included – smiling and deeply moved by the end of the night.
Having known the choir’s director, Vivian Ng Wai Hang, for more than a decade as a former orchestral mate at the Macau Youth Symphony Orchestra, I only had my first real conversation with her earlier this year when she introduced me to her choir during an interview.*
Despite her youth, Ng is incredibly charismatic, passionate, and musically talented. She possesses a rare blend of generosity and social etiquette that makes her presence in Macau’s music scene feel almost miraculous.
It is entirely due to her dedication that, within less than a year, she has assembled a 40-member chorus. The group comprises both seasoned musical professionals and first-time singers, all performing by choice. It is almost unthinkable for a new artistic community to grow this rapidly, a feat that speaks volumes about Ng’s exceptional rapport and leadership. The group also spans a wide range of ages.
The concert opened with Franz Schubert’s Mass No. 2 in G Major (D 167), a staple of the classical choral repertoire celebrated for its accessible brilliance. Accompanied by a string ensemble of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, its sheer familiarity leaves no room for error – performing it is akin to walking on thin ice.
Yet, the chorus navigated the challenge flawlessly. The soloists delivered beautiful performances, and the vocal sections resonated with a deeply moving, sacred atmosphere. Sitting in the front row, the performers’ energy was palpable. Enhanced by the church’s natural acoustics, the instruments and voices blended into a singular, breathtaking harmony under Ng’s baton, making it the undisputed highlight of the evening.
Gratitude must be extended to the Catholic Diocese of Macau for hosting these performances for our community. Although Cantate Chorus (“Sing, Choir!”) is a secular group, the rich tradition of sacred music allowed a deeply spiritual energy to transfer seamlessly to the audience. On a broader note, this effortless connection shows a sharp contrast to the wider local art scene, where genuine resonance is too often replaced by heavy-handed, mandated themes that fail to strike a chord with the community.
A breath of fresh air in Macau
What truly set this concert apart was the palpable energy of the performers. For the first time in a long time, I could feel that the performers were truly singing for themselves, embodying the spirit of the city’s dwellers.
The intermission did not feel like a typical break. Instead of a formal pause, the performers immediately mingled with the audience to chat and take pictures. Everyone was genuinely happy to be there – an infectious, light hearted energy that made the evening feel less like a rigid concert and more like a warm community gathering.
In the second half, the chorus challenged themselves with a cappella pieces. As Ng had noted in our interview, she intentionally split the repertoire to match differing experience levels. Separate stages were set: the seasoned veterans tackled the most technically demanding pieces, the less-experienced singers were given their own dedicated moments to shine, and the entire 40-member group united for the full-ensemble numbers.
Despite the demanding two-hour repertoire, there was not a single hint of fatigue from the singers. Everyone on stage genuinely wanted to keep singing, perfectly capturing the spirit of Sarah Quartel’s** “How can I keep from singing?” It is not just a song title for them; it is exactly who they are.
Readers who are interested in joining the choir can visit its Instagram page for more information: www.instagram.com/macaocantatechorus or contact via cantatechorusmacao@gmail.com
*www.macaupostdaily.com/news/27279
** Sarah Quartel is a prominent Canadian choral composer and music educator. She is widely celebrated for her chorister-centred compositions, sweeping melodies, and rhythmic vitality. – Gemini
Assistant Conductor Miranda Chan directs the singers. - Photos taken by Bob Wong at Our Lady of Fátima Church last Friday.
Vivian Ng conducts at Our Lady of Fátima Church.
