Stand by for a ‘Sound and Light’
extravaganza at this year’s annual Last
Night of the Proms concert, presented as ever by the British Cultural and
Heritage Association. Durban’s die-hard prommers can expect a bonanza event
which will crackle and pop with an exuberance of fun! So get to The Playhouse
Opera Theatre on August 5 at 15h00, to enjoy a profusion of sizzling classics,
laced with novelty appeal all set to go with a bang!
Conductor Richard Cock, South Africa’s ‘Mr
Music’, returns to the podium to crank up the wow factor as he leads the KZN
Philharmonic Orchestra, joined by the Durban Symphonic and Northwood Boys
Choirs, and a line-up of soloists and support acts. This year’s solo spots
falls on soprano Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi and ten-year-old violinist, Nilashri
Naidoo. And sharing the limelight are Proms stalwarts, the KZN Pipes and Drums,
and Celtic Heartbeat, aka dancers Samantha Wood and Melissa Wood Alberts.
As ever, Richard Cock has put together a
bumper programme of favourites, which he will introduce in his own inimitable
style. Show-stopping items in the first half of the programme include: Richard
Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra,
world famous as the soundtrack to the movie, Space Odyssey 2001; the main theme to John William’s Star Wars soundtrack; Explosions Polka by Johann Strauss; the
mighty Anvil Chorus from Verdi’s Il Trovatore; Khachaturian’s dazzling Sabre Dance; the beautiful Sanctus from
Gounod’s Saint Cecilia Mass; Vivaldi’s
Concerto in G; Lanchberry’s endearing Clog
Dance from the comic ballet, La fille
mal gardee; and the iconic River
Dance hit, Reel Around the Sun.
Getting off on a high note, the second half
opens with the 2014 Commonwealth Games Theme. This will be followed by a
powerhouse line-up of show-stoppers, including: Dimutrescu’s Romanian Dance; Thunder & Lightning Polka by Johann Strauss; Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King; the Jewel Song from Gounod’s Faust; the thunderous finale to
Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture; and Proms evergreens, Jerusalem by Parry, Handel’s Hallelujah
Chorus and the jolly Sailors Hornpipe
in an arrangement by Alan Stephenson.
As seasoned prommers know, the
high-spirited Durban event, which includes whole-hearted audience participation,
is modelled on the hugely popular last night culmination of Britain’s
globally-celebrated BBC Promenade Concert series, presented in and around
London, principally at the Royal Albert Hall.
Last
Night of the Proms takes place in the Playhouse
Opera on August 5 at 15h00. Seats range from R150 to R220. Early booking is strongly
advised to avoid disappointment. Tickets are available through Computicket
outlets at Shoprite Checkers, telephonically on 0861 915 8000 or online at
www.computicket.com. Alternatively, call the Playhouse Box Office on 031 369
9540 or 031-369 9596 (office hours).
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