|
Posted by Editor on 14th September 2009 at 04:34 PM Salford Proms in the Park 2009
Words by Tony Flynn
Camera and interviews by Tony and Tom
Editor's Note: This video is just a snippet of the concert and the first (of many) videos on Salford Proms, we are producing them as fast as we can edit the film! Please check back for regular updates throughout today (Monday) and tomorrow (Tuesday).
The BBC Proms in the Park returned to Buile Hill Park last Saturday as a crowd of 8,000 people were treated to a musical extravaganza.
The sun shone brightly throughout the day as excited music lovers from all over the country set up their tables, chairs and hampers, lending the Park a real festival atmosphere.
Local singers Jon Christos and Jenny Williams opened the show duetting on such classics as Nella Fantasia and Nessun Dorma. Jenny then sang solo the beautiful Unchained Melody and Amazing Grace.
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Stephen Bell gave a magnificent performance playing such classics as the Light Cavalry Overture by Suppe and Princess Leia's theme by John Williams before the mezzo soprano Juliette Pochin joined them on stage to perform Softly Awakes My Heart by Saint-Saens.
Chris de Burgh - the popular rock/ballad singer took to the stage and soon had the crowd swaying along to his hits opening with Missing You and Nilsson's 70s hit Can't Live Without You.
Jon Christos and Juliette Pochin then performed a brilliant selection of ABBA hits from the musical Mamma Mia, both dressed in flashy ABBA outfits. Again the crowd loved this set and were singing along to every word bringing the first half to a close.
The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra opened the second half with Gershwins' Strike Up The Band and Pirates of the Caribbean by Zimmer. Crowd favourite Chris de Burgh took to the stage for his second set treating an adoring crowd to Don't Pay The Ferryman, a Beatles tribute with The Long and Winding Road before, you guessed it, Lady In Red. He even attempted a brief spell of crowd-surfing, being mobbed by his fans who draped him in a Union Jack as he left the stage to thunderous appluase.
The BBC Phil played Handel's Royal Fireworks Music complete with a burst of fireworks, and to round off the evening Jon Christos and Juliette Pochin had the flag-waving crowd on its feet, singing along noisily to concert favourites Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Pomp and Circumstances No. 1.
Finally the now almost-delirious crowd were treated to a breathtaking fireworks display which lit up the night sky, bringing to an end a marvellous evening's entertainment.
Congratulations to Salford Council for arranging this event which was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody I spoke to, and who tell me that they can not wait for next year.
Related Links
Watch Juliette Pochin and Jon Christos - ABBA-mia click here
Sing along, hand on heart, to Jerusalem at Salford Proms in the Park 2009 click here
Watch Jon Christos and Jenny Williams's special performance click here
 Comment by Guest 17th September 2009
I thought Heather Stott was more annoying than Chris de Burgh, butting in all the time and getting things wrong, if I was too be more critical I'd say she had been imbibing a bit too freely in the hospitality tent.Sober Joe. |
Comment by Guest 16th September 2009
The ticket price was tiny if you lived locally even less,there were many `average` people there I would say 99.9% were `average` It was a great event for the local people and those further afield. Chris De Burgh didn`t get as big a welcome as Jenny Williams Juliette Pochin and nowhere near the very loud shouting and cheering Jon Christos got.Think that should the locals appreciated their own local performers, (I know Juliette isn`t local),he got a huge welcome and it was evident he was having a ball and that was recognised by the huge audience that turned out in the way they responded. It was far better than last years event more content and to be honest we had Russell Watson who managed just one set didn`t bother coming back for anymore which was disappointing and left people wondering why,Juliette Pochin was the real star that night.CP |
Comment by Guest 16th September 2009
Two points, a tenner isn't that much to spend on a wonderful evenings entertainment surely?, secondly I agree Chris de Bland was a bad choice for a big name headliner. It would be interesting to find out just how much he got paid in relation to John Christos and Juliette Pochin. |
Comment by Guest 16th September 2009
another event where the average salfordian could not attend as it was a pay event
Chris be Burgh was rubbish big name big pricetag |
Comment by Guest 16th September 2009
Wonderful night but not as good as last year with Russell Watson. Chris be Burgh was a very expensive mistake for Salford. AB |
Comment by Guest 16th September 2009
Juliette Pochin -what a voice! For me, Chris de Burgh could have stayed at home so we could have heard (and seen) more of her! A brilliant evening - congratulations to all concerned. |
Comment by Guest 15th September 2009
A great evenings entertainment and not a hint of trouble, congratulations to everyone in Salford. |
Comment by Guest 15th September 2009
Unable to attend,I watched the Salford Proms on the tele, chiefly because Jon Christos was starring. I was disappointed to miss the duet with Jenny Williams as others have praised it to the skies. However, I very much enjoyed his and Juliet's performances, although like a previous poster couldn't work out why Chris De Burgh was there..but each to their own. Well done Jon..the Salford lad...brilliant. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
What a great evening from the start, Jon and Jenny with their varied duets were simply wonderful, i can't understand though why this didn't feature on the BBC as it was a real success. Jon was the star of the show for me, he entertained the crowd from the off and was incredible in the Abba medley, such a lovely voice. Juliette performed beautifully as she did last year and comes across as a lovely lady too. Chris de Burgh went down well, I liked him singing his own material but not cover songs, and the finale led by Jon and Juliette and the fireworks supported by the BBC Philharmonic was amazing. A triumph for Salford. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
Superb night, Jon Christos and Juliette Pochin really lifted the crowd with the ABBA medley and it's a pity the BBC missed out on showing young Jenny Williams.
I thought Chris de Burgh was very good and the BBC Philharmonic orchestra excellent.
Very well compared too by Heather Stott. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
Superb night, Jon Christos and Juliette Pochin really lifted the crowd with the ABBA medley and it's a pity the BBC missed out on showing young Jenny Williams.
I thought Chris de Burgh was very good and the BBC Philharmonic orchestra excellent.
Very well compared too by Heather Stott. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
I was at last years Prom event was disappointed by Russell Watson on and off in a flash so it seemed.Chris De Burgh for me was a mistake, but he got a good reception. I cannot praise Jon Christos highly enough we were treated to three appearances he looked like he was having a fabulous time in front of his home crowd and was enjoying every minute of it.The young lady who duetted with him Jenny Williams has such a lovely voice.Well dome to everyone who were involved in this event a big improvement on last year. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
I too had a wonderful afternoon's entertainment, Jon Christos and Juliette Pochin's duet of Abba songs was marvellous, also praise for The BBC Orchestra who madethe event so special.
One slight quibble, I didn't think that Chris de Burgh really fitted in with the musical theme of the event, his songs do have their fans as proved by the applause that he received, no chance of Russell Watson coming back next year?. |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
It was brilliant better than last years event, the entertainemnt first class, specially Jon Christos. Loved the non televised bit with Jenny Williams, wish that had been broadcast was such a lovely treat |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
Fantastic. Me and my family enjoyed every minute of this, and what stunning weather! Emma |
Comment by Guest 14th September 2009
Wonderful event and a beautiful evening have you got footage of Juliette Pochin? |
Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account.
Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377.
|
