Rousing show to celebrate St George

A Gala for St George, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

ONE of the nation’s favourite personalities, John Sergeant, played his part in bringing a rousing collection of patriotic music to Manchester in celebration of England’s National Day yesterday.

His training on BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing” finally paid off as the popular figure employed some nifty footwork as he skitted between an easy chair and the lectern from where he introduced each piece of music.

He received a fond reception, and littered his introductions with poetry readings, including some penned by William Wordsworth and John Betjemin, although it has to be said their recital was not his forte.

The programme of music, however, was exactly as you would expect for a musical celebration in honour of England’s patron saint.

There were masses of flag-waving, audience sing-a-longs, and powerful offerings from soprano soloist Deborah Norman which brought a tear to many an eye in this Raymond Gubbay production which also featured the Manchester Concert Orchestra and Manchester Chorale under the baton of Fraser Goulding.

The rather understated Goulding did a wonderful job of leading the musicians through a programme of patriotic music, and encouraging an audience which was well up for it, to join in the chorus to their favourite songs.

The scene-setting first half acted as a warm-up for a rip-roaring finale which had the packed audience up on their feet and singing everything from “Land of Hope and Glory” from “Pomp and Circumstance,” to “Jerusalem.”

Soloist Deborah Norman tugged at the heart strings with her interpretation of wartime favourites “The White Cliffs of Dover,” “We’ll Meet Again,” and “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,” which helped catapult Vera Lynn to superstardom as the Second World War’s forces sweetheart.

The concert succeeded in transporting its audience on a sentimental journey through England’s past, which started with “Crown Imperial” composed by Oldham’s William Walton.