The dynamic presence of John Wilson and his orchestra at recent Albert Hall Proms has been sensational. Great Hollywood musicals have been celebrated from lost orchestrations painstakingly re-created by Wilson.

The release of their latest CD, Rogers & Hammerstein At The Movies, sees the orchestra touring with guest vocalists Annalene Beechey, Kim Criswell, Julian Ovenden and, crossing over from the opera world, Sir Thomas Allen, who brought gravitas to his solos.

Musicians and singers provided an afternoon of magical nostalgic pleasure for the sell-out audience, all of a certain age. While the programme contained many great standards from successful musicals, lesser-known gems added spice.

The 90-strong orchestra’s glorious sound only complemented the vocalists, never forcing them to compete. All their powerful voices had clarity, ensuring every word could be heard.

The musicians surpassed themselves in the jazz ballet, Slaughter On Tenth Avenue, and in The Carousel Waltz, a divine blend of lush lyricism and pulsating energy.

Beechey and Ovenden impressed with the romantic ballads from Oklahoma and Carousel, while Criswell, who knows how to point a song, amused with the witty wordplay of To Keep My love Alive before leading the audience in You’ll Never Walk Alone.