It’s hard to believe it was a year ago we were sat in the park watching the opera, but I’m so pleased the grey bleak skies had finally decided to do the decent thing and leave us to enjoy a civilised summer evening.
Opening the proceedings was pianist Jenny Trew, with the notes drifting over the vast array of young and old alike enjoying picnics and the odd glass of wine or two – there’s a sense of occasion at this annual event, a really nice atmosphere where one and all can have a relaxing evening out rather than the usual Saturday night antics.
Performing from across a number of operas the songs were more about the vocal delivery, rather than having to tell a full operatic story, but it was still just as theatrical so a shame the narration between pieces was a little quiet (although didn’t disappoint on the level of performance).
It was a few numbers in when Tenor Philip O’Brien took the stage solo that the hairs on my neck started to stand up, the power of his voice really came to life during “Questo amor” which was then followed up by a couple of other highlights for the evening in the form of Puccini’s “La Boheme”.
After the interval Soprano Abigail Iveson and Mezzo-Soprano Lise Christensen took to the stage for a moving rendition of Sous le Dome Epais (the Flower Duet), then a little comedy when the male singers took to the crowd and soon enough it turned into last night of the proms territory with the obvious (yet crowd pleasing) tunes such as Rule Britannia, and ending on an all too rushed Land of Hope and Glory.
With that it was time for everyone to pack up the remains of their picnics, wave their flags and enjoy the rest of the weekend.
