Review of Romantic Masterworks

CHERYL’S CHIC CHARM

Local opera star Cheryl Hawkins once more showed her world-class qualities when she performed the delectable Four Last Songs of Richard Strauss.  In a moving performance beautifully accompanied by Milton Keynes ’ own professional orchestra under the baton of Hilary Davan Wetton, she brought out the deep philosophical resignation which imbues these works from a great composer at the end of his life.

The orchestra preceded the Strauss work with a fiery performance of the overture to Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman in which the storms which had been whistling around the outside of the theatre seemed to have found their way onto the concert platform. 

The concert ended with Wetton conducting a great favourite of audiences – Brahms’ massive fourth symphony.  Wetton admitted to the audience that this was the first time he had conducted it, but you would never have know that it hadn’t been in his bones for decades, such was the commanding performance he drew out of the orchestra.

A large audience made it clear by its enthusiasm that this concert was something of which they wanted more.  Congratulations to Dawson Construction for sponsoring such a successful event.  It was a credit to the city.

Reviewer:  Roy Tipping