St. Matthews Anglican Church, Wendouree, is developing a community reflective peace garden and Sunday's concert in the church, Winter Soiree, led by Maxine Montgomery and Kelly-Louise Austin, has made a significant contribution to the cause.

Montgomery has a formidable reputation in opera and music theatre. Her skill and experience in both were evident throughout as she moved seamlessly from Gershwin, "The Man I Love", to Puccini, "Donde Lieta Usci (La Boheme)".

The program included "Hope" of Jason Roberts-Brown and Rufus Wainwright's "Damned Ladies", songs which spoke to opera and music theatre and perfectly matched the concert's tone.

Austin's music theatre experience shone through with excellent performances of "I Dreamed a Dream" and "Maybe This Time".

Austin and Montgomery worked perfectly together in songs from the musicals "Chess" and "Wicked", finishing the concert with the hilarious pseudo folk song "Lady in the Woods". Pianist Maria Carras-Kerr was faultless in her accompaniment.

Guest choir, The Pyrenees Chorale, contributed four songs, adding variety to the middle of the program. The arrangement of the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria" contrasted nicely with George Shearing's "Lullaby of Birdland", while "You Raise Me Up" gave the segment a big finish. Overall, the solid commitment from Montgomery and all performers contributed to a successful concert.