15 September 2018
The concert ‘A Night at the Movies’ was held at St Michael’s Church, in the shadow of Framlingham Castle – once owned by Mary Tudor.
Arriving at just after 5.30 for a 6.00 pm concert, I was surprised to find the centre block of pews nearly full already. The side aisles were just starting to fill up, and I managed to secure a place at the end of the third row, judging from the position of the grand piano and music stand that I would just be able to see the performers past the large stone pillar across the aisle.
As 6 o’clock approached, the remaining pews were filled and any small gaps occupied. The organiser in her welcoming speech told us that 150 tickets had been sold online, and later confirmed on social media that the total attendance had been in excess of 200. It was very gratifying to see the church full, as so often classical crossover concerts are poorly attended. Perhaps it was a measure of the esteem in which Christina is held in her hometown, but also a reflection of the hard work which had obviously been put in by the organising committee in publicising the concert and raising support in the community.
The evening began with a short presentation and film about the work of ‘The Beehive’ – a charity which supports girls and young women in Kenya who become pregnant through sexual abuse and are often disowned by their families as a result. All proceeds from the concert were to be used by the charity for this work.
At last, it was time for the music to begin, with a piano solo by Geoff Lavery of ‘The Girl with the Flaxen Hair’ from ‘Ladies in Lavender’. Geoff stayed at the piano throughout the concert, interposing piano solos with accompaniment for Christina’s songs.
I have to admit to a slight ambivalence in the run-up to the concert about the ‘Movies’ theme – not knowing quite what to expect. But I need not have worried, as Christina put together a set list which included many well-loved classical arias (which have been used in films) together with some more contemporary songs.
As Christina was introduced, she emerged from a door at the back of the church and walked down the centre aisle in a lilac/pink dress with a very full skirt and embroidered top. Christina’s first song was ‘Never Enough’ from ‘The Greatest Showman’, and she certainly sang it with style. I had noticed that there was no microphone at the front of the church. The MC had used a handheld radio mic for her introduction and I wondered if Christina would have her own. But no, she sang completely unamplified and her sweet voice filled the large space of the church with no hint of strain.
Christina’s second song was ‘Once upon a Dream’ from ‘Sleeping Beauty, after which she returned to the back of the church and we were treated to another piano solo – ‘Glasgow Love Scene’ from ‘Love Actually’.
Christina’s next pair of songs were the lovely ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ from ‘A Room with a View’, and the magnificent ‘Queen of the Night’ from ‘Amadeus’. The latter is one of the most challenging arias from the classical crossover repertoire, stretching the vocal range of most sopranos, but Christina delivered the high notes perfectly and seemingly without effort, giving the impression that she still had an octave to spare.
Another piano solo followed – ‘Forgotten Dreams’ from ‘Populaire’, and all to soon the first half came to an end with Christina’s rendition of the theme from ‘Cinema Paradiso’.
Interval refreshments were served in the chancel of the church. Unusually this is wider than the nave and even longer, giving a huge space for circulation. It was enlarged in the 16th century by the Howard family (Dukes of Norfolk) to use as a family mausoleum.
The MC had trouble with the name of the opening song in the second half – ‘Lascia Ch’io Panga’ – which is apparently from the film ‘Nymphomaniac’. Christina appeared in a slimline sequined dress, continuing the pinkish colour scheme, and had no problem with the words – or music.
After ‘As Time Goes By’ from ‘Casablanca’ (piano solo), Christina was back to sing ‘Pelagia’s Song’ from ‘Captain Corelli’s Mandolin’, followed by ‘Moon River’ from ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Christina excels at the high notes, and this was sung in a noticeably higher key than is usually heard.
The theme from ‘Schindler’ List’ played by Geoff Lavery led into the final sequence of songs from Christina. ‘Nella Fantasia’ from ‘The Mission’ was perhaps stretching a point, as these words were written to Morricone’s ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ theme well after the release of the film. ‘My Heart Will Go On’ from ‘Titanic’ was again set in a much higher key than usual, allowing Christina to display her mastery of the upper register. The programme concluded with ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight’ from ‘The Lion King’.
After the closing speeches and thank-yous, we were treated to an encore of ‘I Could have Danced All Night’ from ‘My Fair Lady’, earning Christina a standing ovation and rapturous applause.
After waiting to speak to Christina after the concert, I was on my way by 8 pm, and despite the long drive (during which I listened to Christina’s beautiful CD – ‘Blessing’) I was home earlier than I usually am from most concerts in London.