One of the most exciting events Willoughby Symphony offers each year is their tribute to the infamous British tradition, “Last Night of the Proms”. Regular attendees to the concert come prepared with their own paper streamers, hats, flags and Union Jack paraphernalia. Dress code is smart casual which suits the audience better than the formal clothes expected in the city. The program is filled to the brim with laughs, sighs and musical favourites. It’s a joyous, party mood where everyone, on and off stage, has a great time.
This year, lead by Dr Nicholas Milton, the orchestra collaborated with the Willoughby Choir lead by Peter Ellis, the Willoughby City Bands and the young soloist singers from Pacific Opera. Connecting these organisations together makes a lot of sense as each is focussed on nurturing talent, creating a bridge from amateur to professional. It can be either a useful alternative or a compliment to a tertiary education in the Arts.
Milton drew attention to Co-Artistic Directors Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright in the audience, thanking them for the wonderful work they do at Pacific Opera. The two of them have, collectively, many years of professional experience in the opera world. They generously share their knowledge in terms of stagecraft, technique and generating opportunities for much needed experience. There is really nothing else like Pacific Opera in Australia that prepares new singers for their professional opera careers and they are well worth supporting. (See Related Links below.)
The concert began with Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, the perfect way to set the scene. The choir pitched in with a rousing rendition of Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. We got our first taste of the soloists Amelia Bland, Sophie Mohler and Aidan O’Donnell with a piece from Cosi fan Tutte, a pleasant reminder of the season currently playing at the Opera House.
Holst’s Finale to St Paul’s Suite rollicked along amusing the viola players. Evening Prayer (Abendsegen) from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel was beautifully performed by Ellena Hicks and AiLing Huang. The choir performed an a cappella piece by Australian contemporary composer Melissa Dunphy from her Suite Remembrance, then the audience were delighted with Hannah Burton’s performance of Adele’s Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus. Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman is always a crowd favourite performed by Hicks with Lucy Vallely.
There were so many great numbers (listed below) including a real anvil, apparently stolen by Milton from Central Station for the percussionists to use during the Anvil Chorus and plenty of foot stomping fun. Milton is very much at home playing the MC, educator, entertainer and conductor. The audience love him as their son for all the time he commits to the orchestra away from his regular conducting duties in Germany and Austria.
Special mention must go to Peter Ellis (Milton introduced him as gorgeous and talented). His composition for the choir “Nothing Can Separate Us” was excellent. The Willoughby City Bands finally got their moment by appearing up in the circle en masse for the 1812 Overture. Two very big bass drums and the church chimes were positioned up there as well so the audience got the full surround sound experience for the 1812. It was enough to make the hairs stand on end. The audience went wild and the concert drew to a perfect close with Parry’s Jerusalem plus Land of Hope and Glory.
Book early for the next year’s Last Night of the Proms. Make sure you bring along those who are not familiar with classical music as it is a brilliant introduction for adults and kids.
Related Links:
What’s next from Willougby Symphony: https://www.willoughbysymphony.com.au/Events
More about Pacific Opera: https://www.pacificopera.com.au/
What else is showing at the Concourse: https://www.theconcourse.com.au/?s=
Artists
Conductor: Dr Nicholas Milton
Pacific Opera Artists: Amelia Bland, Hannah Burton, Ellena Hicks, AiLing Huang, Sophie Mohler, Aidan O’Donnell, Lucy Vallely, Leon Vitogiannis.
Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Willougby Choir lead by Peter Ellis
Willoughby City Bands
Program
ELGAR – Pomp and Circumstance Military March No. 4
HANDEL – Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah
MOZART – Soave sia il vento from Cosi fan tutte
HOLST – Finale (The Dargasson) from St Paul’s Suite
HUMPERDINCK – Abendsegen (Evening Prayer) from Hansel and Gretel
DUNPHY – Todtentanz from Suite Remembrance
STRAUSS II – Mein Herr Marquis (Adele’s Laughing Song) from Die Fledermaus
WOOD – Jack’s the Lad from Fantasia on British Sea Songs
OFFENBACH – Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffman
VERDI – Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore
COATES – The Dam Buster’s March
———
STRAUSS II – Persian March Op. 289
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS – Fantasia on Greensleeves
ELLIS – Nothing Can Separate Us
GRAINGER – Irish Tune from County Derry (Londonderry Air)
STRAUSS II – Brüderlein und Schwesterlein from Die Fledermaus
TCHAIKOVSKY – 1812 Overture, Op. 49
PARRY – Jerusalem
