The Fairey Band

Brass Night at the Opera
Musical Director: Russell Gray
Guests: Tenorissimo
Parr Hall, Warrington
Saturday 1st April

On a night when a cracking in form Fairey Band under Russell Gray produced a beautiful smooth and warmed toned sound that never lacking emotion, it would have been hard to find any fault at all with what was on offer. Coupled though with the rich tenor sounds of the renowned trio Tenorissimo, who really did tug at the heart strings with their own blend of emotion charged singing, this concert was a real joy.

The main thing for this correspondent about this concert was the tidal wave of musical warmth that swept everything along before it; the gorgeous melancholy tunes and the bravura vocal/brass combinations. The concert was no more than a simply stated fusion of some of the most the popular operatic themes and concert melodies – and with all things simple, they invariably turn out to be the best.

Entitled ‘Brass Night at the Opera' this understated concert programme did exactly what it set out to do. That being that, once you were engrossed in the obvious delights of the well chosen music it was obvious that all you had to do was sit back, relax and enjoy the experience.

The Fairey Band opened with Copland's ‘Fanfare for the Common Man' a curtain-raiser, that made a perfect introduction to the evening. The cornets lined up across the stage front and achieved with ease the tonal edge that the rising opening statement demands. Balanced percussion complimented and everything came exuberantly to life.
 
A very engaging interpretation of the old tub thumper Overture Zampa set the scene for the tenor trio ‘Tenorissimo' to take the stage. A special mention though to the batch of Fairey solo players in the overture though – all, especially the soprano in the famous old feature, were excellent.

Tenorissimo immediately captivated the audience with their relaxed stage presence and secure technical command with O Sole Mio. Each member of the trio showcased in turn, each completing their solo with a wonderful natural air. Geoffrey Coles in Granada, Morgan Lee James with Be My Love and James Fitzgerald completing the set with Una Futriva Lagrima.
 
Rebecca Crawshaw, with a youthful sparkle, brought to the mind glowing images of the famous David Hockney midnight blue stage set with the famous Mozart Queen of the Night Aria in a cracking rendition. The only thing that was wrong with the performance was that Rebecca is thankfully not as frightening (or as big) as the usual soprano singers who belt this one out in the opera houses around the world! 

The band then finished the half with the well known finale from Pineapple Poll which reinforced the lovely work and luminous sounds that hallmarked this concert.

One would have to comment that the venue staff delegated to serve and provide liquid refreshments at the interval were a bit thin on the ground and concert producer Mareika Gray could have expected a little more in the way of customer help from the Parr Hall staff. The band and the singers were doing their bit and more. It was obvious a great deal of time and effort had gone into the preparation and planning of this concert and whilst, and most importantly, the sound quality was clean, the house engineers could have supported and complimented the concert so much more.

Lighting is now an integral part of concert venue production and with their experience and knowledge using directional and soft focus lighting it could have enhanced the theme of the concert so much more.

A well-conceived reading of Grand March from Aida opened the second half and one would not have expected less than the vocal trio giving an extremely polished performance of Nessun Dorma that followed.

Geoffrey Coles and James Fitzgerald, in the one item not supported by the band, had their own musical arrangement to support the Pearl Fishers duet before Largo al Factotum witnessed this 4BR correspondent "volunteer" to take the stage and play the stooge in a comic recreation of a barbershop scene. Complete with Sweeney Todd blood stained apron and bib, Morgan Lee James seemed to attract a goodly amount of mirth and we were set up for a few wise cracks at the end of the concert.

A delightful horn trio of Chris Pannell, Christopher Haigh and Andrew Oetegenn played with exemplary balance and tone with the selection of operatic melodies in the Trio con before the band gave full warmth and lyricism to You'll Never Walk Alone.

‘Tenorissimo' logically led the audience in the conclusion of the concert with the traditional Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstance No.1 both of which were whisked off with true English stiff upper lipped aplomb.

This concert came with plenty of popular substance. It served up, with precision, a warm toned ensemble that brought to the music a pleasing freshness, a striking precision and complimentary projection.

Whilst not the largest audience for a programme that offered such a popular blend of music for a general concertgoer, this first concert in this series set an extremely high standard and it should, just by word of mouth, encourage more to sample these direct and well-performed concert presentations.

The next concert will see Leyland Band and the Manchester Chorus joined by Brisbane Excelsior Band – National Champions of Australia 2005 in a ‘Brass Night at the Cathedral' on June 3rd 2006.

Take the opportunity to attend, for if this was a taste of what this concert series is all about, they should grow from strength to strength.

John James

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