Welcomed into the warmth of the Philharmonic Hall amid a flurry of snowflakes set the perfect scene in which to join Lesley Garrett celebrate The Spirit of Christmas.
The "nation's favourite soprano" took to the stage with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, RLP Choir and RLP Youth Choir at the start of a lengthy six night stint in the run up to Christmas.
Garrett is blessed with a staggeringly beautiful voice but it was her charming personality which won me over. Clad in a deep green dress, Lesley shared anecdotes and joked with a captive audience about her "fabulous frocks" and the unusual attention they can sometimes attract.
The bubbly Yorkshire lass not only beguiled us with her vocals but hosted proceedings, guiding the crowd through a mixture of Yuletide music old and new. Classic carols were tweaked with new arrangements especially for the concert, and a seasonal treat as Lesley demonstrated her dramatic skills, reading aloud "Rumpole's Christmas" - a short story by the aging barrister’s creator John Mortimer - accompanied by the RLPO.
Effortlessly conducted by Ian Tracey, as always, the RLPO and Choir were maginificent, with a particular highlight in John Rutter's beautiful "I Wish You Christmas" which left a tear in the eye.
The RLP Youth Choir also shone with an angelic delivery of "Past Three O'Clock" and a delightful accompaniment to Lesley's performance of The Little Drummer Boy.
After two hours of glorious entertainment, we were invited to exercise our collective vocal chords, standing to join in the fantastic finale of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
Spirits well and truly lifted, I heard not one cross word uttered as we emerged to a thick blanket of snow sent down from the heavens, a signal that the festive season was well and truly upon us.
8/10
The Spirit of Christmas will run until Wednesday 22nd December. Visit www.liverpoolphil.com for further details.
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