WSO Verdi Gala The Concourse Chatswood

this was fabulous the audience in raptures here's my thoughts for Sydney Arts Guide http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/willoughby-symphony-celebrates-verdi/ On a dismal, soggy, grey and wet afternoon we in the sold out audience were treated to a glorious concert by the Willoughby Symphony celebrating Verdi. Act 1 had excerpts mostly from ‘Rigoletto’ and Act 2 concentrated on ‘La Traviata’ with selections from ‘Aida, ’’Nabucco’ included in a thrilling concert. Nicholas Milton the conductor who introduced each piece was having a great time, and in a very playful mood, joking and teasing, bringing joy both to the orchestra and the delighted, enthusiastic audience. Milton’s conducting, watching the two star singers intently, was energetic and inspired and, at times, dramatic. The Willoughby Symphony Chorus was stirring in the ‘Anvil Chorus’ from ‘Il Trovatore’ ( with a xylophone not anvil) .The ‘ Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves ‘ from ‘Nabucco’ that brought Act 1 to a close gave one goosebumps. They also had fun as assorted soldiers (‘Il Trovatore’) and matadors (from ‘La Traviata’, here waving red handkerchiefs) in selected pieces. Both acts featured the marvellous singing of tenor Martin Buckingham and soprano Eva Kong .In Act 1 Buckingham was magnificent as the Duke in ‘Rigoletto’. He has a crackling , electric presence .His ‘La Donna e mobile’ was in effect performed in three-dimensional stereo, so to speak, as he moved around and through the audience, delivering an exuberant performance. In Act2 his aria as Oronte from ‘I Lombardi’ was breathtakingly sung and he was also in fine voice as Rodolfo from’ La Traviata’ in the duets. As Gilda from Rigoletto in Act1 Eva Kong wore her hair down and a floaty, delicate , pale blue gown. Her ‘Caro Nome’ was luscious , joyous and sunny, beautifully sung . As Violetta in Act 2 she wore her hair up and a stunning black evening gown. In her exuberant ‘Sempre Libre’, the famous major test piece for sopranos , she pulled out all the stops and brought the house down . With regards to the other duets from La Traviata ‘Un di felice, eterea’ from the beginning of the show was floating and ravishing and ‘Parigi o cara’ at the finale was very sad , poignant and moving. The penultimate item was the HUGE Triumphal March from ‘Aida’ stirringly performed – one could see the elephants and crowds in your imagination! There was a bright buoyant trumpet solo by Lars Mehan as part of this. And I mustn’t forget to mention that the Prelude to Act 1 of ‘ La Traviata’ with which the orchestra opened Act 2 was given a dynamic , dramatic performance beginning with haunting, fragile violins and then expanding to the huge lyrical swirling onrush of more strings and the dizzying whirling ominous undertones of the violins. The audience reaction was rapturous and due to public demand, as an encore, the final number was the well known Brindisi (drinking song) from ‘La Traviata’ with the audience joining in. Running time 2 hours 10 mins (approx) including interval The Willoughby Symphony ‘Night at the Opera Verdi Gala’ played at the Concourse 1 and 2 March 2014. Conducted by Nicholas Milton guest stars Eva Kong and Martin Buckingham.