Harrow's Trinity Orchestra returned home for a concert on July 4. Observer reader PATRICK BYRNE enjoyed the show
THE audience in Trinity Church, Hindes Road enjoyed a varied programme of music, ideal for a summer evening.
It began with that most loveable of symphonies, Schubert's 5th. This bubbled along good-humouredly, as a friend remarked to me with a smile on his face.
It was followed by a group of operatic arias sung by guest soloist Alison Weatherburn, soprano, an artiste of charming appearance and personality complementing a rich and powerful voice.
The 'mezzo-ish' quality of the lower part of the voice served her well in Rossini's skittish Una voce poco fa and I was particularly impressed by the intensity she brought to L'altra notte from Boito's Mefistofele.
After the interval, the orchestra showed its versatility in Tahiti Trot, Shostakovich's take on Vincent Youman's Tea for Two. This eccentric and highly entertaining arrangement was allegedly written to win a bet.
On her return, Alison performed a delightful group of show tunes including, most suitably, Gershwin's Summertime from Porgy and Bess.
The concert ended with Le boeuf sur le toit, a ballet inspired by Brazilian music. This orchestral showpiece is a set of variations on a South American tune and was played with toe-tapping verve, to the obvious delight of the audience.
Although that was the official end, we were treated to an unexpected encore by our soprano: I could have danced all night from the musical My Fair Lady, and it was obvious from the ovation that, had she done so, we would have been happy to stay with her.
