Ceramic City Choir, Victoria Hall, Hanley

WITH the world's most famous flying car making headlines just down the road, the Ceramic City Choir had its work cut out attracting a substantial audience to the Victoria Hall on Saturday night. But as Chitty continues to cause a stir at the Regent Theatre (even though Saturday night's performance was cancelled), so did this popular choir who impressed keen listeners with Verdi's monumental Requiem.

Led by Oliver Neal Parker, the choir have achieved a great deal in the last 18 months and this concert gave them the chance to shine.

Although a popular choice, Verdi's work – which Brahms branded "a work of genius" – is a challenge to say the least, but with confidence brimming from the outset the choir, joined on stage by the Leek Phoenix Singers, delivered a harmonious treat.

Soloists Rita Cullis, Valerie Reid, Geraint Dodd and Graeme Danby, together with the Orchestra de Camera, added style and professionalism to an impressive performance, with Cullis in particular giving just a glimpse of why she is recognised as one of the most popular and experienced sopranos in the country.

The familiar Dies irae instantly grabbed attention and from here the execution matured enormously to offer a very intense yet delicate and poignant performance.

Seeing the Ceramic City Choir perform with such vibrancy was refreshing and well worthy of the rapturous applause that exploded with the dying notes.

This was a fantastic display of unity by all involved and it was spine tingling to hear the venue bursting with such glorious music.

Liz Rowley