Peterborough Cathedral - 23 Nov 2009

[Libby]

Nov 23, 2009 23:58:48 GMT grant said:

There will be pictures of the new silver and white dress (don't know why you thought it was green Martin )

These were exactly the kind of colors I was imagining! Is it the one we saw in those photos from Japan? The red dress with the black belt; is that the poppy appeal one or the We'll Meet Again dress?

I can't wait to see the photos! The concert sounds very wonderful!

I think we were kind of expecting her to sing some new songs, Martin.

So, she didn't sing All With You? And I'm once again very disappointed that O Holy Night is not on the album. I still have no idea what Love Came Down at Christmas sounds like, unfortunately. I almost wish it was on the Taiwan version so I could hear it somehow.

[Jillian]

Thanks for your amazing report, Grant! I can only imagine the wonder of the last notes of 'Corpus Christi Carol' -- I love to listen to that on headphones and wait as the note gets stronger and higher -- absolute magic! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif It gives me tingles down my spine too!

I think this is going to be a very special tour!

[Dori]

Come on people! Give us some photos, we are all waiting!

Dori

[Martin]

I wasn't at all surprised that the guys got to hear the soundcheck since most Cathedrals will be open to the public until an hour or two before the concert. This was also the case at Salisbury Cathedral recently.

Thanks Grant and Martin for the reports and like Dori, look forward to seeing the photos and new dress (once you have caught up on your sleep!).

Martin

[Jillian]

There was a professional photographer at the concert last night, so in order to whet everyone's appetites before the HWI professionals bring out the big guns. here's this:

[comet]

Thanks Grant,

Your report has made me green with envy

I agree about the sound checks, a delight to watch the foundations being laid for a perfect show later..

So you got Oh Holy Night, I wonder was Hayley influenced by Tracy Chapman's version of this song..

Little Drummer Boy.. Great

Getting a little bit excited about Belfast now...Little being an understatement

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.......

[Mark]

Hi Grant and Martin

Thanks for your reports, its sounds as though this tour is going to be very special indeed. Not yet having heard any of the songs that you mention Grant, I think that Banbury for me on Saturday will be particularly special (my CD still hasnt been delivered yet). Infact, even if the CD arrives in the next few days, I don't think I will play it - prefering to hear the songs 'live' first.

Its good news also that Hayley plans to do a proper signing at the other WM venues as it seems a long while since she did this. I have really missed that special few minutes chatting to Hayley that goes with a formal signing

Once again, a supurb Report Grant and a great taster of whats to come.

Best wishes
Mark

[grant]

Hi Mark

The only reason there wasn't a formal signing last night was because they were heading off to Ripon straight after the concert and to have had one would have delayed them by at least an hour.

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

Nov 23, 2009 23:48:45 GMT martindn said:

... There were so many highlights of this show it is difficult to pick a few. Quite a lot of the songs were being performed in public by Hayley for the first time. But Hayley accompanying herself on piano on River, Playing another instrument on Sleigh Ride (and getting in a bit of a tangle) and especially, singing The Coventry Carol without a microphone, which with the acoustics of the Cathedral and the choir backing her was wonderful. During the sound check she had started off singing with the mike, but seemed to be drowning out the choir, who were unmiked of course, and it was not working. When she came down off the stage and tried it without the mike, it sounded so much better, and I'm glad she chose to do that for the actual performance.

Martin

Oh gosh! the merry-go-round is on the move again and it will seem but hours before we wish her bon voyage for NZ!

This (the red above) is why I booked for a 'one-night stand' at Liverpool! Hayley, I'll have to tweet you to be certain you read me but this is why I wanted you to visit when you were last at the Philharmonic Hall. Try without the mike here too during rehearsals and have an early talk with the organist. It is an 8,500 or 10,000 pipe organ which means the upper registers are well banked and come over most melodiously not shrilly.

I realise at Liverpool it is not your show, you are their guest but if not this time, take the opportunity to check it out fully. I am sure you will want a return visit on your terms.

Peter S.

[postscript]

Superb report, Grant, sounds like my trip to Exeter and few days there are going to be worthwhile. Regretfully I start with Hayley then go on to Truro to friends for lunch then up to Taunton for a weekend with other friends, so a gentle let down.

Peter S.

[youngsingers]

Just thought you would like to know that the choir that accompanied Hayley at Peterborough last night were a group of the girls from the senior choir of Peterborough Young Singers. The girls were thrilled that they not only had a group photo with Hayley, she also signed autographs for all of them and had individual photos with them. More information about Peterborough Young singers can be found by following the link below
www.youngsingers.net

[postscript]

Hi youngsingers and welcome.

Now you have actually sung with Hayley hopefully you and your crowd will want to maintain your interest and we will often see you visiting us. Maybe she will return! Incidentally, did she not do a 'Songs of Praise' from Peterborough? Were you all there then?

Peter S.

[grant]

Hello youngsingers and welcome to the forum.

I was at Hayley's concert in Peterborough last night and very much enjoyed your performance. I also thought your entrance was beautifully choreographed and a stunning way of opening what turned out to be one of the most special Hayley concerts of all time!

I am not sure whether or not you girls realise just how special your performance with Hayley was last night, with her singing without a microphone. To my knowledge, it was only the second time she has done it in public and the first was with her mentor, fellow New Zealander Dame Malvina Major. You were privileged indeed to be part of that as were we all to hear it.

I wish your choir well and hope to hear more from you in the future.

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

Hello everyone

Herewith the first pictures from last nights concert. I don't intend to post many as there should be plenty of variety from all the concerts between now and Christmas.

The band rehearsing before Hayley joined them



The silver/white dress that Hayley wore for the first half of the concert



The red dress from Act 2

I only took a few during the concert, SteveH will no doubt be posting his concert pics shortly - he took loads

Some post concert signing pictures to follow.

Best wishes
Grant

[Steve H]

Hello Everybody,

Sorry for the delay in posting, firstly I must say that lighting is never great in Cathedrals compared with theatre's, the light is very yellow due to the tungsten lighting which was minimal, there were plenty of candles and whilst they are beautiful and atmospheric they do not actually give out much light!

I will start with a few from the sound check, which Grant has mentioned earlier.

Steve H