A Sentimental Journey

Grantham Singers recently performed their annual concert entitled “A Sentimental Journey” which contained music from a hundred years prior to the 1914/18 war and the ensuing century. This seemed to me to be a marvellous way to travel, covering both time and distance whilst listening to a myriad of melodies. So, having made my way to the Guildhall at Grantham, I took my comfortable seat and waited for the journey to begin. 

James Coleman introduced this concert and eloquently compered the proceedings, explaining that   many different styles of music had become popular during this period.

Act One opened with “Music of the People” and contained the songs Bobby Shaftoe, O Waly Waly, Dashing Away with the Smoothing Iron & Whistling Gypsy. Then followed some songs from the World of Opera, the selection included Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco by Verdi, The Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore by Verdi and The Humming Chorus from Madame Butterfly by Puccini. The next selection was from Operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan and included The Policeman’s Song from Pirates of Penzance, Three Little Maids from The Mikado and Dance a Cachucha from The Gondoliers. This act was brought to a close with a selection of World War 1 songs which included Keep the Home Fires burning, It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, Pack up Your Troubles, Silent Night and Land of Hope and Glory.

Act Two commenced with music from 1920 – 1940 and featured Blue Skies by Irving Berlin, Summertime by George Gershwin, Little Brown Jug and In the Mood by Glen Miller, followed by a selection of Disney songs from the 1940s and 1950s. The remainder of the performance was given over to songs from stage musicals which included The Sound of Music 1960, a 1980s/1990s Medley from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King and Little Shop of Horrors and a 2000s Medley from Wicked, Spamalot and Mamma Mia .

This was indeed a most enjoyable and relaxing journey - thank you the Grantham Singers for delivering such an entertaining programme; you presented a very impressive sight attired in dark clothing with the ladies displaying a red rose corsage and the gentlemen all sporting a red bow tie. The sustained applause you received during the performance was well deserved.

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