The middle of the afternoon, granted. But it was the best of times and the best of venues for the WASO Chorus to perform Rachmaninov’s choral masterpiece, the Vespers, or All-Night Vigil. And how they relished it. The best of times, because a Russian Orthodox Easter, though later than other Christian faiths, still falls during spring. Which it is here, now – and Sunday, when this performance took place, was as perfect a spring day as one could have wished for. The best of venues, because St Mary’s Cathedral – capacious, light-filled, austere in some ways, a compelling architectural mix of ancient and modern – both visually and acoustically favours a larger choir, which at 60-plus performers the WASO Chorus clearly is.

WASO Chorus SingsSt Mary’s Cathedral, Perth. Photo supplied

Having filed in from the rear to the dais, the choir and its director Andrew Foote – a seasoned opera singer and recitalist who only took up the position earlier this year – quickly settled before filling the cathedral’s generous space with the opening Come, Let Us Worship and a glorious, rich, fulsome sound. This boded well for the remainder of the performance....