Review: Last Night of the Proms at Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Dec 30 2009 by Andrew Coleman, Birmingham Mail

WHO says the days of being proud of Britain belong to the past? Certainly not the packed audience at this superb concert which saw patriotic flag-waving reach a new level.

With the London Concert Orchestra in scintillating form, classic after classic built an atmosphere of euphoria that quickly swept away any post-Christmas hangovers.

The programme opened with Verdi’s Overture, The Force of Destiny, which set the scene nicely before Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever had the pulses racing, and Philip O’Brien (tenor) and Owen Gilhooly (baritone) produced the perfect duet from The Pearl Fishers.

To close the first half, talented conductor Stephen Bell chose what he aptly described as the mesmeric Ravel’s Bolero, which began with the gentle tap-tapping of a lone drummer, building gradually until the entire orchestra joined in. Lengthy applause and even cheers for that.

It was audience participation time after the interval, with hundreds of union flags making their first appearance in time with the rousing Dam Busters march and staying in flight for Rule, Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory.

Memorable solos, too, from Gilhooly (Largo al Factotum, from The Barber of Seville) and, naturally, O’Brien’s thrilling delivery of Nessum Dorma. A standing ovation demanded, and received, an encore.

Oh, what a night.

VERDICT: HHHHH

PAUL MARSTON