DAC's offer strikes right note for choir

A demonstration of farriery in the forge at last year's Defence Animal Centre (DAC) open day EMN-160517-135818001

The Melton Mowbray Choral Society just couldn’t find the right ‘clang’ to accompany Verdi’s The Anvil Chorus which it will perform during its ‘A Night at the Opera’ concert at St Mary’s Church on Saturday.

They tried using hammers to bash lumps of metal and chisels, downloaded a sound clip and someone even suggested using a big frying pan or cymbals – but nothing fitted the bill until the DAC came to the rescue. Choir member Margaret Cooper suggested the idea of using real anvils to go with the piece and managed to get a contact number for the DAC to see if it could help.

Farrier Major Robin Haden was happy to oblige, inviting musical director James Gutteridge to the forge to select two brand new anvils, weighing 20 stone each, to be delivered to the church on loan.

Choirmaster James Gutteridge said: “We’re most grateful to the DAC for the loan of these wonderful bits of kit. They’re really going to make the piece special. Without them the performance just wouldn’t have been the same.”

Tickets for ‘A Night at the Opera’ are on sale at The Samworth Centre for £9, including an interval drink, or can be bought on the night for £10.

The concert will feature popular opera choruses, including many used in movies or TV adverts such as the Shawshank Redemption (the Letter Duet), British Airways (the Flower Duet) and The Anvil Chorus (Lee Jeans).