ALISON CROOSE King's Lynn Corn Exchange

ALISON CROOSE

King's Lynn Corn Exchange

The Last Night of the Proms came early to West Norfolk when the CLS closed their ninth season at King's Lynn with the Proms patriotic custom providing a rousing conclusion to a sparkling evening.

The CLS ended their latest residency with an Opera Gala which was a sure-fire way to entice their loyal and growing band of supporters to return.

There need be no apologies for an evening packed with favourite music - for the audience clearly loved every note.

Four fine singers - established artists from major British opera companies performing under the title, Opera Interludes - teamed up with the orchestra to present some of the best-known operatic excerpts.

The very high standards expected of the CLS shone out as conductor Dominic Wheeler led the orchestra and singers - Victoria Joyce (soprano), Yvonne Fontane (mezzo-soprano), David Newman (tenor) and Philip Blake-Jones (baritone) - through much-loved arias and duets from La traviata, Carmen, Cavalleria Rusticana, The Pearl Fishers and Turandot. Overtures, including Orpheus in the Underworld, added to the feast.

Then orchestra and soloists launched into a rip-roaring Proms-style finale with the flag-waving audience joining in the singing. What a great evening.