Jonathan at Petworth Park on 12th July

E05297535 · Joined: Sep 21, 2007 Posts: 136

So sorry I will be missing this after all Crying or Very sad

...won't be missing the 'muddy fields' though, Wink

if we do get rain on the day....sure it will be worth it though Laughing

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

Aw Mandy, so sorry you will be missing this Sad

The 'muddy field' at a Proms event is the norm and all part of the fun I think (although my camcorder might disagree after Romsey Rolling Eyes

). I always make sure I have spare dry clothes with me anyway, just in case Wink

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

Not long to go now ......... only 5 more sleeps !! Wink

Couldn't find my rain ponchos, so had to get more from ebay and sent e-mail to the seller to ask if I could get them urgent as I leave on Friday .... well, it's Saturday morning early actually ....... just in case it is rather wet, which is the norm for a Proms really !!! Rolling Eyes

See you all there folks Wink

nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 320

What does the weather forecast say?

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

Not good on AOL homepage weather Rolling Eyes

jonfan · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 260

Hope you all have a great time ,and the weather is kind to you ,looking forward to reviews and hopefully photos, safe journeys

nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 320

Have super time
Hope the weather ok for you
look forward to the reviews

JessicaL · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 694 Location: Belfast

Looking forward to the reviews tomorrow and hopeing everyone has a brilliant time Very Happy

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nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 320

I guess our friends are bunch of sleepy heads Smile

Im so looking forward to reading the reviews

E05297535 · Joined: Sep 21, 2007 Posts: 136

Heard from Chelle so far...a good time was had by all...and Jon was in fine form as usual!! Wink

Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 724 Location: Middlesex

Sorry folks for the delay in posting a review - it was a very busy and hectic weekend in pursuit of our favourite tenor!! Razz

Well, another great day and night was had watching the fabulous Mr. Ansell on stage, this time at his first Proms of the season in Petworth.
The weather was kind to us thank goodness as we started to form a queue around mid afternoon. It was not long before we heard the orchestra strike up for rehearsals and then we heard Juliette Pochin. Soon it was Jonathan’s turn – We raced from our seats to the next gate down and could see the stage and Jonathan in the distance. He spotted us at one point and gave us a wave as we applauded and cheered loudly! Alas our fun was taken away from us as some jobs worth came and shut the gate before Jonathan had finished so we headed back to our seats where we could still hear him – that voice was ringing out all over the South Downs!! Amazing it was too – well no new news there eh?!! Very Happy

Time flew by quickly and with about 10 minutes to go before the gates opening it started to rain! Mad

Oh no. not again was this going to be another MK? But we were very lucky and it stopped after 5 minutes not to return until at the very end of the night- phew!! Very Happy

We were let in and made our way to the front of the stage. I think it was a group decision not to stand – most of us had chairs with us – and those who didn’t either knelt or borrowed some so we put all our bags against the barrier and formed a perfect front row with room to move, lay our bags and sat back until the show started Very Happy

The evening started off with the orchestra playing alone and was then joined by Juliette. After a few more pieces we started to hold our breaths as the conductor announced Jonathan to the stage. We all looked to the right of the stage expecting him to come from there but no so we looked left – again no – Confused

He made a grand entrance from the back and came through the middle of the orchestra beaming that wonderful smile of his. Very Happy

He went over to the right – away from me but still close enough to see all his expressions.

He launched into My Own True Love.

OMG – did he sing this with passion or what? Exclamation

He wooed the audience and they listened intently. That final note was held for a lot longer than normal, how does he do it? The control was amazing.

A huge cheer went up as he finished and took his bow. The crowd was enthusiastic I turned round to look and everyone was applauding.

There were a few more songs before he came back on stage. We knew what to expect next as we had heard him rehearse and we had a programme to follow but I was not prepared for this.
Jonathan sang Funiculi Funicula with great gusto! He loved every minute of it and we all had fun. We couldn’t sit still as he brought the song to life. We were all bopping around in our seats with huge grins plastered to our faces. The applause was much louder this time and he seemed as though he had enjoyed it too. I do hope this is included on the tour – it would be the fun track to get people going. It was the best of the night for me as I had never heard him sing this before.

A few more tracks were done before the interval where we all got up for a pit stop and more refreshments.

The second half started after ½ hour and it was just starting to get dark. He then sang Here’s to the Heroes from the other side of the stage –Although he didn’t move around the stage when singing, he made sure we all had our fair share!! Very Happy

He never sings this without all the feeling and passion you would expect from him. His hand was very animated throughout and he clenched his fist very tightly at the end on the final note. He meant every word he sang and with pride. I do hope he gets to sing this on Remembrance Sunday – so fitting. This was received very well by the crowd. He grinned from ear to ear and waved as he went off stage saying he will be back soon – that led to an extra cheer from us of course!

Well, what can I say about Nessun Dorma? Perfection!! I am sure it was as good as he sang it at the City Showcase but being outdoors, made it seem a little tamer but I am sure it wasn’t – I was just spoilt the other week with having him sing this right in front of me – He was powerful, note perfect and passionate all at the same time. His face was so expressive

He looked good on that stage – not lonely at all – he FILLED it. He looked in command without any arrogance, unlike some. Jonathan didn’t assume anything and looked genuinely happy and pleased

Next was Jerusalem. Did I say ND was perfect? Then this was double perfect. He was magnificent although I was still waiting for the other three to join in. I did have a twang in my heart when this started up but by the end, I had forgotten my misgivings. A real British sense of pride came over me. We had all decided to stand for this – we needed room to do a bit of flag waving so as soon as he appeared, we all stood up. Quite a few behind us did too and soon all the crowd were either waving a flag or joining in the singing.

He was then joined by Juliette for Land of Hope and Glory. He came on from the right and then produced a very large union flag from the under his jacket – well I am sure it was tucked in the back of his trousers!!!! He took hold of one corner and crossed to my side of the stage. He indulged us with vigorous flag waving – not as easy as those hankies from the tour last year because of the size but we joined in with our flags and with the singing when told to by the conductor. At the end of this, he threw the flag into the crowd. Smile

He left the stage to yet more applause and we were then treated to a huge firework display

Soon it was time to say goodbye to everyone and make our way home. It was a lovely evening to say the least and Jonathan is going from strength to strength. Very Happy

jonfan · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 260

Thanks for the review Marian, so glad you all had a good time, and the weather was kind to you, Jonathan enjoyed himself by the sound of it,

I would have loved to hear him sing Funiculi Funicula, hope its on the Album or the tour

nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 320

OH Marian
That was beautiful review
thank you so much
oh I do wish he do prom more my way
Marble Hall is to far for me to get home
I have to wait until The Mikado and Night of the Opera tour

ruth · Joined: Jul 13, 2006 Posts: 63

Sounds as though it was a perfect evening in every way....sigh. Laughing

Roll on Marble Hill. Very Happy

xcept · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject:

Marian thank you for the wonderful photos, they are now in the gallery Very Happy