CityLife

Classical highlights: Christmas and New Year 2009/2010

Carl Davis

THERE’S no escape now: Christmas and New Year concerts are on offer every night at the Bridgewater Hall through into the first week of 2010 (except for Christmas Day).

Spoilt for choice? You may decide to follow your favourite performers, or just go for a programme selection that suits you. Here’s a rundown.

On December 18, Raymond Gubbay presents Carols By Candlelight, with the Canzonetta Choir, Manchester Concert Orchestra and soprano Gail Pearson; while Gareth Hancock is conductor again.

December 19 is the first of the four Hallé Carol Concerts (the others are the afternoon and evening of December 20, plus the night of December 22), with Petroc Trelawny the presenter; and the combined forces of the Hallé Orchestra, Hallé Choir, Hallé Youth Choir and Hallé Children’s Choir. If last year is anything to go by, the young singers will put everyone in a party mood, and you can sing along, too.

On December 21 Raymond Gubbay’s Manchester Concert Orchestra is back, with the Canzonetta Choir and star soloists, in White Christmas – easy-listening songs and carols. December 23 sees a change of choir: the Manchester Chorale and Kinder Children’s Choir sing Carols & Classics, conducted by Northern Ballet Theatre music director John Pryce-Jones. Mark Wilde is tenor soloist.

Christmas Eve brings Carols For All afternoon and evening, the hard-working Manchester Concert Orchestra and Manchester Chorale performing again, with Sophie Louise Dann as soprano soloist, and Jonathan Cohen presenter. This is audience participation time, with an invitation to clap your hands, stamp your feet and sing your heart out.

Spare a thought for those musicians: one day off and then they’re back with Raymond Gubbay’s Boxing Day Tchaikovsky Gala. Fraser Goulding conducts, and Viv McLean plays the piano concerto no.1.

Sunday, December 27, in the afternoon, sees the band swing into Gershwin, with vocalists and dancers, and conducted by Gavin Sutherland.

In the evening Buxton Festival boss Andrew Greenwood is in charge of A Night At The Opera, with stars Linda Richardson and Rafael Rojas, plus the Halifax Choral Society.

Richard Balcombe conducts on Monday, December 28, in The Sound Of Musicals, and the Hallé return to the fray on Tuesday, December 29, and Wednesday, December 30, under the baton of Carl Davis.

Carl has a big following for his film score and Broadway show concerts, and there’s one of each: films night is Holding Out For A Hero, on the Tuesday, and Broadway Bonanza is on the Wednesday.

New Year’s Eve is a Manchester Camerata special, as father-and-daughter Bonaventura and Rebecca Bottone – both international stars – make a rare appearance together in a programme of operatic favourites, plus a Last Night Of The Proms style finale. Clark Rundell is conductor.

New Year’s Day afternoon is Camerata time, too, as they – with conductor Gábor Tákacs-Nagy – begin the season of Viennese concerts at 3pm. There are waltzes and polkas a-plenty, and, with soprano soloist Natalya Romaniw and violin soloist Michael Gurewich, a few extras to spice things up.

New Year’s Night brings back the Manchester Concert Orchestra and John Pryce-Jones, with tenor Adrian Dwyer and baritone Mark Holland in pop classics – and the secret ingredient of classical music funnyman Rainer Hersch.

The Hallé are back on the platform on Saturday, January 2, 2010. Their New Year In Vienna is conducted by Stephen Bell, with Natasha Marsh the soprano soloist: all the favourites are there, by both Johann Strausses and from Lanner to Léhar.

Still not had enough? Raymond Gubbay brings the touring Johann Strauss Gala, with its own orchestra and dancers, and Caroline McPhie, soprano, on the afternoon of January 3.

Surely something for everyone. Enjoy!

[Actual online publication date: 18 December 2009]