OPERA VIVA ON BROADWAY

Opera Viva marks the end of yet another successful year with our annual Summer Concert at St Mary’s College on Saturday, July 20th. And this time we’re letting out hair down by moving from opera to musicals in Opera Viva on Broadway.

We’ll be bringing you melodies that range from classics such as Rogers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific and Oklahoma, to more recent hits from shows like Les Miserables.

We’ll be sharing emotions from despair to hope, from hatred to love, in settings from Paris to South America and from New Orleans to New York.

Gallery

Photographs by Sue Mannings

Review

by Ellen Campbell

WE were greeted by a glass of bubbly which put us in the mood right away to enjoy an evening of songs from many of the most famous musicals, performed by members of Opera Viva who treated the audience to a superb evening of entertainment.

The rich voices of the men singing 'There is nothing like a Dame' and Steve Riordan’s rendition of 'Ol’ Man River' were classic renditions and the ladies sang every bit as well, Pam Ashcroft receiving a standing ovation for her solo, 'Memory' from Cats.

Kerry Firth and Freddie Ligertwood delighted us with 'Oh Happy We' from Candide and there were medleys from Oklahoma! and Les Miserables.

Melvin Tay was welcomed as the company’s new musical director and “old hand”, David Palmer, was the producer. Artistic director was Viv Sharp and Robert Chesters provided the fine accompaniment.

Opera Viva’s next performance is on Saturday, October 26 for their Gala Night. This is their 10th Annual Opera Concert with supper included and tickets are priced at £20. The meal starts at 6.30pm, and the concert at 8pm. Telephone 0151 558 1552 for more information.

Star rating: 8 out of 10. A scintillating evening.