Johann Strauss Gala - Cheltenham Town Hall

Saturday 6th February 2010

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"Sumptuous" is not a word that would describe most musical events in the Town Hall, but the Raymond Gubbay Organisation's annual celebration of the Strauss family and their contemporaries is always a feast for ear and eye.

Once again the Gala provided scintillating music played by top musicians, imaginative choreography and stage direction by Christopher Hampson and colourful and individually designed costumes by Helena Rose - all reflecting the spirit of Old Vienna.

Charles Sewart, better known in Cheltenham for his performances with the Chilingirian Quartet, may have been less ostentatious than some past Johann Strauss conductors. Yet his musicianship was never in doubt, particularly in Vittorio Monti's Csardas with its virtuosic solo part. He even demonstrated his prowess as a dancer in Strauss's Perpetuum Mobile leaving the Johann Strauss Orchestra to their own devices.

Caroline Macphee was this year's songstress sumptuously dressed in red for the first half and and in a stunning white dress with black trimmings after the interval. Her wonderful voice enchanted the audience in Zeller's Roses in Tirol, Heuberger's Im Chambre Separee and the more boisterous Laughing Song from Fledermaus.

The Dancers impressed with their elegance and athleticism in such numbers as the Aquarelle Waltz and the Sperl Galop. Especially memorable was ballerina Lauren Poulton's graceful performance in the Dragonfly Polka-Mazurka by Josef Strauss.

Alongside old favourites such as the Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, The Blue Danube and the Radetzky March the Orchestra tackled such novelties as Strauss II's Egyptian March - sporting fezzes - with zest and elan. The indefatigable ensemble even spent the interval busking to raise much-needed funds for the Haiti Disaster appeal.

Roger Jones

This is a Crackerjack review of Johann Strauss Gala. Do you agree? Rate and review this event.