BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Weymouth Pavilion

THIS annual New Year celebration touring concert never fails to delight devoted audiences during an evening that brings to life greatly loved melodies which are invariably performed to the highest quality by this internationally acclaimed orchestra.

This year's Johann Strauss Gala brought energy and depth to the popular waltzes and 19th century Viennese masterpieces which this year featured favourites like the Emperor Waltz and of course the iconic The Blue Danube in a concert in which the string section predictably dominated the stage.

A characterful and emotionally charged performance by youthful conductor Victor Aviat added to the pleasure of the evening with his expertise and gentle humour while soprano Rhian Lois sang with richness and delight in a series of arias that included those from Die Fledermaus and a superb rendering of Puccini’s Waltz Song from La Boheme.

It is indeed a privilege to be able to enjoy such quality music in a local setting at a reasonable price and a concert of this nature more that justifies the faith placed in supporters of the Pavilion.

The orchestra will again be on stage at Exeter, Portsmouth and Poole in February with their latest presentation to be entitled Heroes and Monsters in which they will be playing music from the film world including soundtracks from Shrek, The Harry Potter Suite and Jurassic Park to name just a few in a concert that will almost certainly play to full houses.

MARION COX