We're proud to present our 'Celebration of Spring' concert programme. Here you will find the running order of the concert and a short introduction to each number.

Concert Programme

'Brindisi' (La Traviata, Verdi)

The Brindisi ('Libiamo ne'lieti calici') in Act I Scene 1 of Verdi's La traviata is a very popular tune from the opera. The Italian term brindisi translates to the English word “toast” and is also called the 'drinking song'. A joyful song by Alfredo, Violetta and chorus.

'Soave sia il vento' (Cosi Fan Tutte, Mozart)

Sisters Fiordiligi and Dorabella, with Don Alfonso pray that mother nature will be kind to them and their fiances on their journey. A highlight of the opera, this stunning trio translates as 'gentle be the breeze'.

'Dome epais' (Lakme, Delibes)

Also known as the 'Flower Duet', this beautiful piece features in Act 1 of the opera. The women have taken a trip down to the riverbank to pick flowers and bathe in the river. It is potentially one of the most famous opera duets ever, having been used in a 1980s British Airways advert!

'Nobles Seigneur!' (Les Hugenots, Meyerbeer)

In an apartment in the chateau of the Count de Nevers, Paris, France, August 1572, the page, Urbain, arrives and merrily gives Raoul an anonymous letter, saying that the mysetrious noble lady that gave the message to him has finally chosen a love.

'Un di felice' (La Traviata, Verdi)

In this lively duet, nobleman Alfredo professes his love for Violetta, a courtesan, who initially refuses the impossible liaison.They will eventually have a relationship, but the complications related to class and societal expectation, including Violetta's illness, will mean that the love is ill-fated.

'Nilakantha' (Lakme, Delibes)

To be updated

'Champagne Chorus' (Die Fledermaus, Strauss)

In this fast, lively chorus piece, Orlofsky, Adele, and Eisenstein join the party guests in praising champagne, the King of wines! Die Fledermaus is an operetta - a short opera - usually on a light or humorous theme and typically having spoken dialogue between musical numbers.

Les tringles de sistres (Carmen, Bizet)

Set in the tavern of Lillias Pastia, friends Frasquita, Mercedes and Carmen sing a wild gyspy song about dancing and seduction to the joyous tavern crowd.

Parle-moi de ma mere (Carmen, Bizet)

Micaela brings Don Jose a letter from his mother who his ill. Micaela is head over heels in love with Don Jose and languishes for a single kiss, but Don Jose does not realise that and sings only of his love for his mother…

'Brüderlein..' (Die Fledermaus, Strauss)

Sung here to an English tran, this delightful chorus piece is a highlight of Die Fledermaus. A celebration of companionship, guests at the party raise their voices and glasses in unison.

The Toreador Song' (Carmen, Bizet)

The Toreador Song, "Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre" ("I toast you"), from the opera Carmen. Celebrated bullfighter, Escamillo, describes the excitement of the bullring, the cheering of the crowds and the fame that comes with victory.

O Quante Volte (I Capuletti, Bellini)

I Capuletti e i Montecchi (Romeo and Juliette) is a romantic tragedy.

In this haunting aria, Giulietta (Juliette) is sad and full of worry because she doesn't know where her beloved Romeo has gone.

Acerba Volutta (Adriana Lecouvreur)

The princess anxiously awaits Maurizio at the villa. When he appears she notices the violets and immediately suspects another woman but he quickly claims they are a gift for her.

Tonight, tonight (West Side Story)

A love duet between Tony and Maria, sung while Tony visits Maria on a fire escape outside of her apartment. An adaptation of the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, which was the inspiration for West Side Story. Tony and Maria confess their love.

Torna a Surriento (De Curtis)

A famous Neapolitan song composed in 1894 by Italian musician Ernesto De Curtis to words by his brother, the poet and painter Giambattista De Curtis. The song reflects the beauty of the city's great surroundings and the love and passion of its citizens.

Au fond du temple saint (Pearl Fishers, Bizet)

The famous Pearl Fishers duet by two of the central characters, Zurga and Nadiris, is set in ancient times on the island of Ceylon and describes a moving tale of friendship tested by love.

A Boy Like That (West Side Story)

"A Boy Like That," from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's musical West Side Story, is a song about racism in which a Puerto Rican girl tries to convince her dead boyfriend's sister to leave her Polish boyfriend and "stick to [her] own kind.

So in Love

To be updated

O Sole Mio

Yes, the recognisable Neopolitan song that made Cornetto ice-creams famous, ’O sole mio' is a well-known Neapolitan song written in 1898. Written by Giovanni Capurro, Eduardo di Capua and Alfredo Mazzucchi. It translates literally as "my sun" or "my sunshine".

Encore: 'You'll Never Walk Alone'

Sung to an arrangement for KT Tenuto by Peter Crockford, this recognisable and well-loved song by Gerry and the Pacemakers will be the rousing finale to our Spring Concert