“WET SIDE STORY”
Hi Everyone
I’ve just come down from cloud nine after last night and am just about sufficiently coherent (and awake) to attempt a short report of last night’s very wet but fantastic concert. Note that photos will be posted by Stuart and Dave as I hadn’t a camera with me. So you will have to wait to see the new, very special
dress worn by Hayley at the end of the concert. All I will say now is that it will be an automatic choice for future best dress polls (and possibly a winner).
I arrived at approximately 6.00pm in warm sunshine and parked the car having remembered to turn into Woburn Abbey rather than into the Safari Park!
I soon found Stuart and Peter and we waited for Roger and Dave to arrive. Meanwhile Stuart, Peter and I sought out our seats and soon realised that we were to be sat amongst some very vocal Vittorio Grigolo fans! By this time the clouds were gathering so we all put on our rainproof clothing in readiness (except for Roger but I will let him expand!).
At 7.29 sharp light rain started followed by the concert at 7.30pm. Peter was the only one with a programme so forgive me if I miss out some of the non- Hayley items or if I get some of the musical items out of sequence.!
The opening piece was the William Tell overture and it set the scene for what was to be one of the best concerts I have been too for many years. The acoustics were superb for outdoors and the PA system was not overpowering which was just as well as most of us were sat in the front row.
Hayley was the first solo performer to appear and, in her trademark green dress she sang Pokarekana Ana and Lascia Ch’io Pianga with full orchestra accompaniment. Fantastic!
It was then the turn of Julian Lloyd Webber who gave us a masterclass with the cello including Elgar’s cello concerto.
The rain was now getting heavier but nothing could dampen our spirits. How could it with Hayley appearing!
Then, in the second half, came the songs from West Side Story. Wearing her little green number Hayley and Vittorio sang “One Hand, One Heart”. Vittorio held Hayley’s hand throughout and Dave’s photos capture the mood superbly. This was followed by Vittorio giving a very powerful solo performance of “Maria”.
The duo then sang “Tonight” and Hayley finished with the solo “Somewhere”. Again, fantastic. My only (minor) disappointment was that Hayley didn't sing "I feel pretty". But perhaps some other time.
All I will say at this point is that if anyone was hesitating in buying the forthcoming cd then stop as it is going to be excellent. Despite some recent reviews I thought Hayley and Vittorio were a great match and brought a freshness and youthfulness to the roles. Hayley totally immersed herself into the role of Maria and obviously enjoyed the challenge.
The orchestra then played several well known film tunes such as “Star Wars” and “Out of Africa”. Great.
This was followed by Paul Potts who sang a couple of numbers (including Nessa Dorma) with great confidence.
And now for the finale with Hayley – and what a finale it was. Totally unexpected (to me anyway) Hayley came on in this stunning new (red) dress and sang with the orchestra “Rule Brittania” and “Land of Hope and Glory”. I was gob smacked but still managed to sing along with the rest of the audience who were waving their union jacks with great energy. (For the benefit of our our International members this is a ritual every year at the Last Night of the Proms in the Albert Hall).
Hayley was visibly enjoying every moment of it, particularly the flag waving.
Paul Potts then sang “Jerusalem” and the orchestra finished with ……. (err, I’ve forgotten - -you must have realised by now that it is not possible to write notes in the pouring rain!).
The concert was over, my jeans were sodden but I didn’t care. This was one of those memorable concerts and Hayley was outstanding.
Unfortunately, we were quickly ushered away by security and had no chance of meeting Hayley. They also said that she had already left but we were not so sure.
I will now leave it to Peter for a fuller and detailed report (including a scan of the programme hopefuly).
Raindrops may have been falling on my head in this summer rain but it didn’t dampen the singing in the rain and it certainly didn’t rain on my parade!
Martin
Hopefully, the rain won't spoil things.
