Conductor Nicholas McGegan and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra gave their usual rousing programme of Viennese music on New Year's Day evening in aid of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Charity.
Opening with the Overture to Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, the SCO led us through a splendid programmes of Polkas and Waltzes by Strauss I and II, E. Strauss and Lehar, with songs by Elena Xanthoudakis, soprano, who delighted the audience with Vilia from The Merry Widow, Love, Heaven on Earth (Paganini), Don't be Cross from Der Obersteiger and The Laughing Song from Die Fledermaus.
The SCO always seem so enthusiastic and glad to be making music; when one observes the members of the orchestra it is interesting to see how generally happy and smiling they all are - granted that New Year's Day is special but, led by their exuberant conductor, they seemed genuinely excited about the evening.
Their efforts were very well received by the audience who clearly enjoyed every moment and persuaded Nicholas McGegan to perform several encores.
All in all a splendidly enjoyable evening and, one hopes, that plenty of money was raised for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
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