It's not often that an amateur choir gets the chance to sing with a world famous tenor, but that's what happened on Tuesday evening. Aylesbury Choral Society were joined on stage by Russell Watson or should that be the other way round? Russell's seventy five night tour arrived at a packed Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and we were treated to a wonderful evening of songs and memories.
He is not only a superb singer of both popular songs and operatic arias, but is also a truly engaging and funny guy. When he recalls his early days in the Northern working men's clubs, we get the jokes that reflect the "up close and personal" element of the programme. But these breaks never outstay their welcome and the first half is packed with wonderful music. The opera pieces are few as we get a couple of Neil Diamond numbers and selections from Les Mis and Phantom. The invitation to the audience to flash their phones during "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" is a neat trick.
Russell is accompanied by a piano, guitar and string quartet, all of whom are great musicians, and then in the second half by fifty members of Aylesbury Choral Society. They join in on favourites such as the Toreador Song from Carmen, Funiculi Funicula, and a storming Nessun Dorma. Also putting in an appearance is the talented soprano Rebecca Newman.
At the end of the evening Russell gives us some songs new to his repertoire, we even hear his version of Bat Out Of Hell complete with rocking electric guitar. With a final rendition of You Raise Me Up with the choir, this was a completely enjoyable evening, Boy, can this man sing.
Would I have gone to see this show if Alison had not been singing with the Choral Society? Probably not, but when Russell sang his second number Love On The Rocks I was swept away. It was worth it just to hear one of my favourite songs sung so well.
Alison's sister Anne also captured the moment when Russell thanked Alison at the end of the concert for her fabulous accompaniment.
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