Russell Watson filled the Dome.
Almost every seat was sold to a crowd that had queued for hours to hear the magnificent sound of “The Voice” together with full orchestral backing and kaleidoscopic razzmatazz.
From early appearances on the northern club circuit, Russell Watson has risen to international stardom and recording success, his singing career only briefly halted by treatment for two brain tumours between 2006 and 2008.
Courage, humour and an easy, natural charm were plainly on show. A true tenor voice was much harder to spot, freighted with heavyweight electronic amplification and elaborate choral and instrumental backing, but an authentic ring was there, particularly in the Italian arias so appropriate for the sound.
Funiculi, Funicula was a winner and everyone loved joining in a backing chorus. Perhaps his stage costume of a natty three-piece suit is a deliberate counterweight to the overwritten adaptations of Bernstein and Verdi – a sober take on some borderline schmaltz.
Watson needs to find his own voice, not just echoes of Bennett, Sinatra and McCormack, and perhaps shine in a simpler production.
He was ably partnered by the young singer Mary Jess, but their romantic duets were carrolled into two microphones, not at each other.
Meanwhile, the Arts Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Robert Emery were marvellous, trombonists and keyboard players in particular enjoying their spotlight moment during some foot-tapping jazz.
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