We,(Kath,Anita, Sharon and of course, Moi), are up and about early.Having spent the last few days with the most gracious hosts,Kath and Mr Kath(who fixed dinner for us twice-what a guy!!),we are all set to get to the train station.Upon arrival, we wait on the platform for Ms Debs,who appears with a big smile and hugs for us all.The train pulls in, and we are off to London and the RAH.This is a place I have longed to visit,but like so many other things in life it seems,it took Russell to get me to accomplish that goal.
Arrive at the hotel early afternoon and my anticipation at what is ahead is pounding my head,so feel the need to walk the streets.Back I arrive at the hotel where Kath has already started her"gussying up procedures"-everything black and sparkly!I quickly slap on a bit of this and that hoping the lighting at the RAH will be kind.We are then all set to hail our taxi and somewhere along the way pick up Sonia,standing outside her hotel resplendent in her white coat,AND holding the biggest bunch of gorgous red roses for our Tenorissimo.Next stop RAH where we meet up with Suze and Barbara for dinner.To the amazment and delight of waiters and waitresses,our "bling" decorations, crackers, and gifts adorn the table.Christmas is in March at the RAH and there really is a Santa Claus.
Then, it is time to enter the magnificent theatre which filled me with wonder as I gazed around, I took my seat, waiting for the magic to happen.HE walked on stage and I was oblivious to everything else.He was wonderful at The Lowry, no question,but this time there was something that filled the air that said "This is the night that dreams are made of"- and it was.You just knew he was there to give the performance of his life - and he did.From the moment he stepped on stage`till the final exit - he was magnificent.He smiled, he beamed, he glowed - it was a wondrous sight to see. His Voice filled the theatre song after wonderful song.Then, Nessun Dorma.We were on our feet once again,cheering, clapping, begging for more. Suddeenly all those gloroius roses were surrounding him and there was no doubt of the gratitude he felt - it was written all over his face. You feel proud of your children,or someone you love when they not only do well, but surpass all expectations - that is how I felt about Russell that night.There was no doubt he had won his fight back to the top - I was there - I witnessed it.Thankyou Russell. PATRICIA/VIRGINNIA/U.S.A.
I went to 6 concerts and although the RAH was the highlight of the tour for me and each one was special in it`s own way,I thought I would write a little about Birmingham.Kath and I set out that morning from her house it was a beautiful day,we hoped traffic would be kind as it was the start of the Easter break.No problems, we arrived at The Hyatt,just opposite the hall about lunchtime,Sonia was already in `residence` so we got ourselves sorted out waited for the `person who does` to bring up the luggage and we were set!!We had drinks of course and waited in Sonia`s suite for Suze to arrive and `nosed` out the window as it backed on to the artists entrance of the venue.Once we were all present and correct we put the finishing touches to the gifts, got ourselves ready for the concert,went downstairs and got `the little person who does` to deliver the gifts direct to Russell at The Symphony Hall while we had afternoon tea and champers!!.
WE wandered over the the venue with some magnificent roses and took our places,the music started and on came Russell singing Caruso.. my favourite.....of course we were well used to the format by now and gave him a standing ovation when he had finished.As ususal the concert was perfect,every song just wonderful especially Il Gladiatore which is very dear to our hearts!!....Nessun Dorma was a triumph and out went Sonia and Suze with the roses... which he loves us to do.all in all it was a wonderful evening we retired to the bar of course for a few drinks and lots of laughter and thinking about the next and final concert at The Bridgewater Hall......ANITA..UK
A day of very mixed feelings,excitment at yet another concert,and sadness that this was to be the last for a while....Anita and I arrived in Manchester late afternoon and had headed for the rendezvous and champayne cocktails at the Midland Hotel.Gifts had already been delivered to Russell earlier in the day, and all we were left with was a bottle of very special vintage champayne and roses, courtesy of Sonia...We eventually made our way across the road to The Bridgewater Hall and then into the auditorium where tension was already beginning to build.Before long there was the by now familiar intro by the backing singers, and then there he was on the stage....My intial thought was that Russell looked very tired, obviously it`s been very hard work this time with so many concerts, but he lacked nothing in the power of his voice, and was very determined that this special concert in his hometown should be hugely successful.He followed the ususal programme and was extremely happy to acknowledge all the fans who stood after Caruso,so good to be appreciated,and at various times during the first half, which as ususal was more serious than part 2.I`ll Walk With God was tremendous, and it finished an excellent set of seven songs.The second half began with our favourite and `special` song,Gladiatore, and then Volare, Funiculi,etc which always has everyone joining in and really raised the mood.So much has already been said about Who Wants To Live Forever, and Swing Low, great yet again, and then it was time for the final Nessun Dorma and the Vincero`s....the final raining of roses, and there we were tearful but ecstatic, Russell returning to the stage to acknowledge yet another standing ovation, and then singing You Raise Me Up,which has impressed me totally, as I wasn`t too keen on it at first.He signed programmes etc and we thought that was the end, but then he announced that because it was his hometown and the last night of the tour, he had something special for us....We were treated to a brilliant rendition of I saw Her Standing There, Rave On, and Weekend In New England, a return to the `old` Russell, rocking as we`ve seen so many times before, he was fabulous!! A wonderful demonstration that there are so many sides to his talent!And then he was gone...quickly away from the venue, to a well earned rest and time with his family, we were left to say our goodbyes to a our friends, old and new, to discuss and enjoy the events of 6 concerts and more than 2 weeks and 1000 miles of travel around the UK, a wonderful holiday with great friends, and to look forward to the next concert!! BRAVO RUSSELL!!!!..KATH /CHORLEY..UK