★★★★★

WHAT? No Blue Danube in the annual New Year’s Eve Concert? Instead jovial conductor Stephen Bell sold the audience a beautifully played Emperor Waltz near the end and joked: “We are going to make a break with tradition. I know there will be letters in The Argus.”

Unlikely, given the high quality of musicianship right through from the sprightly Gypsy Baron to the rousing Iberian-influenced Estudiantina. In between the orchestral delights the charming Rebecca Bottone, a soprano who loves to show off in the nicest possible sense, seduced and dazzled with a display that showed not just vocal agility but a fine control of tone and soaring power.

Her supreme talents were best shown in the melodious Vilja by Lehar, enhanced by shimmering strings, and in a graceful Don’t Be Cross. A big hand too for the precise percussion, with Donna Maria-Landowski bringing an early sounding of a cuckoo with tweeting on The Cuckoo Polka adding a touch of humour.

Orchestra leader John Bradbury delighted the audience with his solo in Stars in My Eyes after a dramatic opening glided into a performance that always hit the sweet spot – much like the concert as a whole.