Musical 00-heaven

Halle Orchestra

NOTHING defines Christmas like a good James Bond movie.

And yesterday Manchester’s Halle Orchestra gave us decades of Bond in one festive concert.

Vocalists Anna-Jane Casey and Lance Ellington — hot from the BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing,” joined forces under the baton of Bury-born Stephen Bell, in “An Evening with 007.”

Composer John Barry, who died in 2011, was synonymous with Bond music thanks to his ability to harness sounds to convey danger and excitement, exoticism and sensuality - all hallmarks of the Bond movies.

His compositions featured prominently in the concert of music from 15 Bond movies, instrumental and vocal, dating back to the early 1960s.

Anna-Jane gave voice to well-known and well-loved songs owned by iconic divas from Adele to Shirley Bassey and Tina Turner.

Yet she grabbed the challenge with both hands in a superb performance occasionally overpowered by the orchestra.

Music came from everything from “Goldfinger,” “Diamonds are Forever,” “For Your Eyes Only” and “From Russia With Love,” to “Licence to Kill,” “Skyfall” and “Live and Let Die.”

This latest offering in a busy schedule of Christmas concerts by the Halle at the Bridgewater Hall was a great, fun night of popular music.