REVIEW - An evening to remember as The Hallé, together with sensational West End singers, give Manchester a real treat!

On Saturday, we were invited to the Bridgewater Hall to see The Hallé - Some Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Read what our reviewer Karen Ryder had to say about this special evening...

The glorious sound of The Hallé reverberated around the stunning Bridgewater Hall last night as we were emersed in the timeless music of Rodgers & Hammerstein.  Under the baton of Martin Yates, this was going to be an evening to remember and with sensational West End singers Lucy May Barker, Alice Fearn, Rob Houchen and Scott Davies, the treats just kept coming and coming.  With fascinating anecdotes regarding the history of this golden age of musical theatre, these shows have won countless Tonys, academy awards, Pulitzer Prizes and Grammys.  With constant revivals, the popularity of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s music has never waned, and from the full capacity audience tonight, it shows no signs of losing it any time soon either. 

We were treated to a mixture of overtures and classic songs from the big five – Oklahoma, Carousel, South Pacific, The King & I, and The Sound Of Music, as well as another of their musicals The Flower Drum Song.  The applause and enthusiasm for the vibrance of the music and the quality filled your senses and you could literally feel it as it entered your body and your soul.  The songs were shared out between The Hallé and the sensational singers, evoking so many memories that for the entire evening, I felt like I had been wrapped in a tender warm hug.

Listening to Rob Houchen singing from South Pacific again after his UK tour was a wonderful treat I feel honoured to have heard for a second time, and hearing Scott Davies again after my first introduction to his stunning voice as Phantom 20 odd years ago was fantastic and just as spine tingling.  Lucy May Barker brought not only an incredible voice but such a bubbly and infectious personality, and finishing off the quartet, Alice Fearn proved why she is a West End leading lady with such an incredible vocal range.

Each song was a highlight and a special moment in time, and even as You’ll Never Walk Alone was announced and some United fans behind us joked it was time to nip out for a beer, by the end, the sumptuous harmonies of our singers had converted them and reduced their jaunty words to a simple – wow!  It was ethereal.  The King & I proved a particular favourite for me as it holds personal memories, but equally listening to Scott Davies fill the room with his luscious rendition of Some Enchanted Evening was an experience I never knew I needed.  Rob Houchen and Lucy May Barker brought Carousel to life with the full repertoire of If I Loved You, submerging us effortlessly into their world, and Alice Fearn vivaciously brought Ado Annie to life in the rip-roaring favourite I Cain’t Say No.

And of course, not forgetting the impressive, world-class Hallé who were always going to be at the heart of tonight's show.  Comprising of players from over 14 countries, these multi-talented and gifted instrumentalists create a sound like no other.  They have an intangible presence, a spirit that is swept around any arena they play in, particularly the glorious Bridgewater Hall.  This may have been a one night concert, but The Hallé offer a varied and impressive year round calander, so I urge you to allow yourself the beauty and encompassing sound of our very own Hallé.

WE SCORE THE PERFORMANCE...



WATCH OUR "IN CONVERSATION WITH MARTIN YATES" VIDEO

CHECK OUT MORE HALLÉ EVENTS HERE!

Photo credit for main photo of the evening to Bill Lam, The Hallé