Tuesday 11 June 2019

Concert Review: Spectacular Classics

Hi everyone,

I had the pleasure of watching the Manchester Concert Orchestra performing 'Spectacular Classics' at the Bridgewater Hall on the 27th April 2019 at 7.30pm.

Manchester Concert Orchestra
John Andrews - Conductor
David Butt Philip - Tenor
Morgan Pearse - Baritone

Act One

The Force of Destiny Overture - Verdi
Liberty Bell March - Sousa
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni
The Blue Danube Waltz - Strauss II
"Che gelida manina" from La Boheme - Puccini
"Largo al factotum" from The Barber of Saville - Rossini
Bolero - Ravel
Pomp & Circumstance March No 1 - Elgar

Act Two

Finlandia - Sibelius
"Au fond du temple saint" from The Pearl Fishers - Bizet
Farandole from L'Arlesienne Suite No 2 - Bizet
Nimrod from Enigma Variations - Elgar
Jerusalem - Perry
Rule, Britannia - Arne
"Nessun Dorma" from Turandot - Puccini
1812 Overture - Tchaikovsky

The 'Spectacular Classics' concert had a Last Night of the Proms feeling too it, and this was a really enjoyable evening out as I hadn't seen the Manchester Concert Orchestra perform in about ten years. The set contained some really well known and loved classical pieces, as well as a few pieces that I hadn't come across before.

My favourite pieces from the first act was the 'Liberty Bell March', which is mostly well known as the theme to the Monty Python's Flying Circus; and this piece had a lovely element of fun. I also really listening to 'The Blue Danube' as its such a well known waltz. "Largo al factotum" is also a well known fun classical piece of music, and you may have heard of it being referred to as "Figaro"; and Elgar's 'Pomp and Circumstance March No 1' is known for forming part of the finale of the Last Night of the Proms.

My favourite pieces from the second act was Nimrod from the Enigma Variations; as this is one piece that I don't think I've ever heard in its entirety before; and it was lovely to listen to being performed live. 'Rule, Britannia' was awesome to watch being performed live with Morgan and the Manchester Concert Orchestra as it is so well known, plus this piece also got an unexpected encore. "Nessun dorma" was also another fantastic piece that I enjoyed watching being performed. Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture was a brilliant finale with the canon effects.

We also got treated to an unexpected encore that featured the 'Can-Can' and also 'Land of Hope and Glory'.

'Spectacular Classics' was a fabulous evening out, which I thoroughly enjoyed as I really love listening to classical music; and it featured quite a lot of well loved classical pieces that everyone knows. Also we had laser effects running throughout the entire concert, as well as the canon and firework finale which took place during the 1812 Overture.

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