MUCH Loved Productions’ Viennese Strauss Christmas Gala brought the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to York on Monday, ready to usher in the festive season with the much- loved music of old Vienna, along with a few other Christmas treats.

Born in 1825, Johann Strauss II studied music as a child in secret, eventually going on to become one of the greatest composers of his day.

His waltzes and operettas remain some of the most popular in the world.

The excited chatter of the audience quickly died away to an awed silence as the lights dimmed and conductor Fraser Goulding took to the stage, followed closely by Jeremy Peaker, Andrew Forbes Lane and Marilyn Hill Smith, who would be our singers for the evening.

Beginning with an uproarious rendition of The Champagne Trio, during which Peaker could be seen enthusiastically pouring glasses for some in the front row, the first half was fantastic, with striking, high-energy performances from all involved.

The night was not wholly given over to music, however, as compere Malcolm McKee kept the audience off-balance with humorous skits and pantomime-esque asides between pieces, all of which were received with smiles and laughter.

The second half continued much in the same vein, but with a slight shift towards some more festive fun, with Under The Mistletoe and Strauss’s Champagne Polka especially providing plenty of amusement, before finishing on James Lord Pierpont’s classic Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and Strauss’s Thunder And Lightning Polka.

The Viennese Strauss Christmas Gala proved to be an excellent night of festive delights, with wonderful music and cordial humour aplenty.

- Robert McKelvey