Review

Puccini Extravaganza
St. Bartholomew's Church, 23rd May

Your correspondent reckoning himself a bit of a Thespian found himself at St Barts Church on Saturday evening sampling a bit of cultcha - and it wasn't half bad.

The magnificent acoustic vault that is St Barts Church was ideal for the full sound of the Sussex Symphony Orchestra alongside the excellent Soprano Susan McCulloch and Tenor Anthony Mee.
For two hours we were treated to the greatest hits of Puccini - stirring arias from the operas Madam Butterfly, Manon Luscaut, La Boheme and Tosca.
For a novice like myself it was fascinating watching all sections of the orchestra come together to create a fabulous multi-layered sound while I got a sore throat just watching Soprano and Tenor belt it out.
Faith Leigh narrated the storyline of each Opera - explaining the links between arias and orchestral pieces. It was good to find out what was actually being said in these classic anthems.
The great themes of 'love' and 'death' are visited in every Opera but somehow I had always assumed that - the music being either stirringly romantic or achingly sad.
|I couldn't help but be swept up in the orchestral whirlwind.
Puccini perfection.

Ross Bentley


Puccini Extravaganza St. Bartholomew's Church, 23rd May
	Your correspondent reckoning himself a bit of a Thespian found himself at St Barts Church on Saturday evening sampling a bit of cultcha - and it wasn't half bad.
	The magnificent acoustic vault that is St Barts Church was ideal for the full sound of the Sussex Symphony Orchestra alongside the excellent Soprano Susan McCulloch and Tenor Anthony Mee. For two hours we were treated to the greatest hits of Puccini - stirring arias from the operas Madam Butterfly, Manon Luscaut, La Boheme and Tosca. For a novice like myself it was fascinating watching all sections of the orchestra come together to create a fabulous multi-layered sound while I got a sore throat just watching Soprano and Tenor belt it out. Faith Leigh narrated the storyline of each Opera - explaining the links between arias and orchestral pieces. It was good to find out what was actually being said in these classic anthems. The great themes of 'love' and 'death' are visited in every Opera but somehow I had always assumed that - the music being either stirringly romantic or achingly sad. \|I couldn't help but be swept up in the orchestral whirlwind. Puccini perfection.
	Ross Bentley