SOPRANO Lesley Garrett lit up the Villa Marina last night (Wednesday) in a stunning gala concert accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra.
Lesley, one of Britain's most popular sopranos, was in fine voice as she opened the concert with a rendition of Bach's Alleluia.
The number, which consists of just the one word 'Alleluia', was a perfect start to the show with Lesley joking: "I start with this one as there is a good chance I'll remember the words."
The first half set included pieces by Mozart, Handel, Tchaikovsky and the English composer William Boyce. Highlights included a performance of The Sun Whose Rays from Gilbert and Sullivan's Mikado – which Lesley described as "my very favourite piece of all time" – and an aria called Don't Be Cross from Carl Zeller's operrata Der Obersteiger.
Lesley put each song into context to help the audience understand who or what she was singing about and the story behind the song. In one piece where two lovers were meeting at the pine trees Lesley joked that this was the "equivalent of the bike sheds – but nicer" in today's day and age.
As well as verbally telling the story Lesley has a natural acting ability and was able to tell the story of each song through her facial expressions which was quite simply mesmerising.
The soprano managed three outfit changes in the two hour performance. She started the evening in a navy oriental style dress with a ruched bolero before changing into a stunning floor length jade green dress – all before the end of the first half. Returning to the stage after the interval Lesley sported a stunning turquoise and cream ball dress which caught the light beautifully.
The National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Philip Ellis, was note perfect at all times and as well as accompanying Lesley the orchestra also performed a number of stand-alone pieces.
The second half took a different direction to the first with some more commonly known numbers and songs from the musicals. Highlights included the Cole Porter classic In the Still of the Night and I Could Have Danced All Night from My Fair Lady.
Somewhere Over the Rainbow from the Sound Of Music was dedicated to the Island's Lieutenant Governor Sir Paul Haddacks who was in the audience. The governor and his wife have been to see Lesley perform each time she has been in the Island and Lesley paid tribute to this saying: "I want to wish him all the best in his future endeavours."
For the finale Lesley sang To Dream the Impossible Dream from the musical Man of La Mancha for which she received a standing ovation. Thanking her audience Lesley said: "You have been lovely and thank you for being so appreciate and attentive."
After shouts for an encore Lesley returned to the stage and performed an emotional rendition of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
Sadly the Royal Hall was less than half full which meant atmosphere in the venue was slightly lacking. Ticket prices and the fact that Lesley has been to the Island before were probably factors in this, however it is a shame that when performers of this calibre make the effort to come to the Island they aren't as well supported as they could be.
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