LOCAL diners received an extra special Easter treat on Saturday 26 March when the Noosa Chorale performed an impromptu rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.
Diners at Aromas were lucky enough to be treated to the “flash mob” performance that marked the launch of the Noosa Long Weekend due to kick off on 15 July.
Noosa Chorale member Jim Fagan said the Hallelujah Chorus was the perfect choice to celebrate Easter.
“Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is a much-loved oratorio and the performance of its Hallelujah Chorus in churches and concert halls in the weeks before Christmas is as traditional as turkey and plum pudding or oysters and prawns, depending on your preference,” he said.
“The fact is, however, that George Frideric Handel composed it in 1741 as a lead-up to Easter, so it was appropriate for Noosa Chorale to select it for its ‘flash mob’ outside Aromas cafe in Hasting Street last Saturday morning.”
Mr Fagan said the choir had a long-standing association with the Noosa Long Weekend festival and its singers wanted to do something special to help launch the 10-day festival.
“It was a bit of a shock for coffee drinkers who nearly dropped their cups when soprano Fran Wilson, suitably uniformed as a waitress, burst out with the opening bars of the Hallelujah Chorus,” Mr Fagan said.
Ms Wilson was quickly followed by 40 singers from the Chorale who streamed in from Hastings Street or stood up at their tables in the cafe.
The Chorale’s first ever flash mob performance was a great success drawing loud applause from Aromas patrons.
Noosa Long Weekend festival director Ian Mackellar said the singers were “brilliant”.
“This impromptu performance just adds to the overall sense of excitement and the community spirit of the festival that is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year,” he said.
The Long Weekend festival has now officially launched with tickets on sale.
The 10-day festival will open with a Carnivale and grand parade down Hastings Street on 15 July followed by 10 days of music, theatre, food and fun entertainment from performers such as Meow Meow, Max Gillies and the Queensland Ballet Company, plus much more.
Visit www.noosalongweekend.com for the full program.
