A trip for Shaz and I again to the RAH seeking musical entertainment.
This is a classical ‘pops’ show of many well known pieces from the classical and opera worlds.
We had better tickets this time than for the Proms which for the most part made a difference. However at times the sound seemed a little off; the choir did not seem quite clear or powerful enough at times and the orchestral sound seemed a little muted at times.
The audience were supplied with Union Jack flags to wave during ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ and ‘Rule Britannia’ but also managed to do so during the ‘1812’ maybe not knowing it does not celebrate a British victory! I found the patriotism come jingoism too much really during these songs. Why do the British need this stuff? However, I can appreciate the beauty and sentiment of ‘Jerusalem‘, which also received a warm welcome from the audience.
The content of the night was:
GRIEGMorning and In the hall of the mountain king
ROSSINILargo al factotum from The Barber of Seville
JENKINSBenedictus from The Armed Man
BIZETDuet from The Pearl Fishers
HOLSTJupiter from The Planets
SUPPÉLight Cavalry Overture
TCHAIKOVSKYWaltz of the Flowers
SOUSALiberty Bell March
VERDILa donna è mobile
HANDELZadok the Priest
PARRYJerusalem
SIBELIUSFinlandia
PACHELBELCanon
LANDOF HOPEANDGLORY
RULE, BRITANNIA!
NESSUNDORMA
HORNPIPE
1812 OVERTURE
With
THUNDERINGCANNONSANDINDOORFIREWORKS
So much good stuff with the addition of dancing and the general spectacular add ons of balloons and light show. The music was good but maybe there was a little too much ‘cheese’.
