Review: LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS with SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Is A Fun Filled Festive Antipodean Expression Of The English Tradition.

Thursday 8th June 2017, 6:30pm, Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House

Sydney Symphony Orchestra brings back annual favourite LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS, this time under the baton of multi-talented Guy Noble with guest soloist, acclaimed star of Opera, Musical Theatre and Cabaret, Jacqueline Dark. BWWSydney had the pleasure of attending the Thursday concert, billed as "Meet the Music" which comprised the SSO and Ms Dark. The Friday and Saturday concerts will include the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS is based on the BBC Proms which have their origins in London in 1895 where people would promenade around pleasure gardens whilst enjoying music. The BBC Proms have evolved to become an eight week summer season of concerts presented in the Royal Albert Hall with the Proms relating 'promming' in the more affordable standing areas in the arena and the gallery. The final concert of the BBC Proms series, The Last Night Of the Proms, is a fun filled final night of the summer season comprising popular classics and British patriotic pieces and has become iconic due to its television broadcasts.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra's LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS will satisfy Anglophiles missing home as they draw on many of the characteristics of the London event. The enigmatic Noble leads the SSO through beautiful instrumental works including Sir William Walton's Orb and Sceptre, Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation March, Sir Karl Jenkins' Allegretto Movement from Palladio and Percy Grainger's heart wrenching arrangement of an Irish Tune from County Derry. In addition to the traditional Sydney Symphony Orchestra the audience is also gets to experience the Sydney Opera House's magnificent pipe organ (David Drury) and the Sydney Thistle Highland Pipe Band.

Supplementing the orchestral works, award winning Mezzo Soprano Jacqueline Dark treats the audience to some captivating interpretations of classical and musical theatre works. Her 'Adieu, Forets' from THE MAID OF ORLEANS by Tchaikovsky is heartbreaking as Dark conveys Joan of Arc pain at leaving the forests to obey gods call with a wonderfully informed expression that ensures the audience feel the emotion without needing to understand the lyrics. Dark also includes a new arrangement of Rogers and Hammerstein II's You'll Never Walk Alone, paired with Ralph Vaughn Williams' The Lark Ascending (arranged by Dark and Daryl Wallis, Orchestrated by Jessica Wells) which will be on her new CD, with a delightful violin feature from Associate Concertmaster Sun Yi. The audience is also treated to Ms Dark's emotional and inspirational rendition of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Climb Ev'ry Mountain from her time touring Australia as Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC where she took the iconic role and infused it with the heart and honesty.

The night naturally includes well known works that the audience can join in with whether it be encouraging the pace of Fantasia on British Sea Songs or singing along (lyrics are conveniently provided in the program for those with slightly rusty memories). Whilst in the iconic Sydney Opera House, the spirit of the BBC Proms is alive and well at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS with patrons dressing up, an abundance of flags and a general party atmosphere.

Whether you're new to orchestral concerts, would like to have a taste of Classical music or are missing 'Old Blighty', Sydney Symphony Orchestra's LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS is a wonderful experience.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra's LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

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