£1m dream comes true

Oct 5 2006 By David Whetstone, The Journal

The stars of the show

Some of Britain's most talented singers and musicians let their hair down for the George Walker Last Night of the Proms. David Whetstone reports.

The nnual concert fondly nicknamed the Geordie Proms has provided plenty of golden moments since it first took place in 1990.

Everyone will have their favourites, whether it's the 1812 Overture with paper bags or the mesmerising high speed solos of Northern Sinfonia leader Bradley Creswick on violin.

The line-up of singers is always top notch. Benjamin Luxon, one of Britain's best loved baritones, set the standard in year one, performing at the City Hall, fresh from his starring role at the Royal Albert Hall in the Last Night of the Proms.

Luxon introduced North-East audiences to Suzanne Manuell, the glamorous Cornish mezzo soprano who has been a regular Proms performer ever since. For the last few years she has also hosted her own concert in the spring at Newcastle Civic Centre, boosting the coffers of NEPAC, the charity which handles the Proms proceeds.

Suzanne will be present this year to perform an aria from Madama Butterfly, an Ivor Novello number and duets with Blake Fischer and Jonathan Lemalu. Janice Cairns, the popular soprano from Ashington, appeared in the opening Proms line-up and is back again this year. Eager to support a good cause, she also clearly revels in her annual performance in the North-East. Now living on the south coast, it's an excuse to come "home" and show what she can do. Her peerless performances in regional favourites such as The Blaydon Races and The Lambton Worm always go down well.

This year look out for her aria from La Wally and Charles Wesley's stirring Easter Hymn.

Blake Fischer is an Australian tenor who evidently likes the welcome he receives each year at Newcastle City Hall. He has performed in the concert so many times now that he qualifies as an adopted Geordie, albeit with an Aussie twang.

Recently married, Blake is due to perform a duet from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers with the baritone Jonathan Lemalu who is also, coincidentally, a newlywed.

Jonathan first sang at the North-East concert four years ago and was a sensation. He came with a reputation as a rising young star and returns as one who has risen. In demand at the Royal Opera House and all over the world, the Samoan - brought up in New Zealand - has recognised stature as a singer and an actor. We are extraordinarily lucky to see him for what will be a third appearance in the region.

Among his contributions on October 14 will be an aria from Mozart's The Magic Flute and I've Got Plenty of Nothing from Porgy and Bess. Bradley Creswick looks to be marking the 17th annual concerto with a departure from the norm. He is scheduled to be performing Bach's slow movement for two violins with his Sinfonia co-leader Kyra Humphries, although he is down for something called Gypsy Music.

The concert will open with a rousing extract from Zadok the Priest which will give the singers of the Newcastle Choral Society a chance to shine.

There will be those in Union Flag waistcoats and those who make silly noises; there will be inflatable bananas and balloons at the end. But if this isn't to your taste, there's always the music which is never less than first class.

---------------------------------------------------------

Music has a healing power

The George Walker Last Night of the Proms benefits many charities which help people with cancer as Sam Wonfor discovered.

**********

Northumberland Cancer Support Group was formed in 1986, and is a completely voluntary self-help organisation and registered charity.

Affiliated to the Bristol Cancer Help Centre, it offers a gentle holistic approach to cancer that does not conflict with conventional medical treatment.

The group aims to offer a safe and friendly environment in which people with cancer, their families and friends can meet others facing a similar challenge. Open to people from anywhere in the North-East, the group meets regularly. Call (01434) 684337 for more details.

North Northumberland Day Hospice was set up in 1995 to support patients and their carers living with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, motor neurone disease, end-stage multiple sclerosis, heart or lung disease.

Invaluable services include palliative day care in Berwick and Alnwick; an outreach service; carer support; complementary therapies; lymphoedema management; and resource centre.

• For more information, visit www.northnorthumberlandhospice.org.uk

Marie Curie Day Centre, Newcastle, provides a wide range of services to cancer patients and people suffering from life-limiting illnesses.

The centre, on Marie Curie Drive, Elswick Road, has a 22-bedded unit and looks after around 450 in-patients each year as well as patients who regularly use the day therapy service. Services at the hospice include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, emotional counselling, social services and chaplaincy.

• For more information, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

Cancer Bridge was established at St Camillus House in Hexham in 2001, offering free access to support groups, counselling and complementary therapies to cancer sufferers and their families.

Five thousand people were treated during the charity's first five years.

The charity is seeking new premises after selling St Camillus, but still offers library services and meeting room facilities. Call (01434) 605440 for more details.

Bristol Cancer Help Centre is the UK's leading holistic cancer charity that has pioneered the Bristol Approach to cancer care, for people with cancer and those close to them. The approach works hand-in-hand with medical treatment, providing a unique combination of physical, emotional and spiritual support using complementary therapies and self-help techniques, including practical advice on nutrition.

People can access the Bristol Approach through residential courses, single day courses run by an experienced team of doctors, nurses and complementary therapists.

• For more information, visit: www.bristolcancerhelp.org

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer, providing practical, medical, emotional and financial support while pushing for better cancer care. With a promise to "care for the whole person, not just the disease". Macmillan nurses take into account not just the medical needs of people but the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have.

• For more information, visit www.macmillan.org.uk

The Children's Cancer Ward at Newcastle General Hospital, which treats sick youngsters from all over the North-East will also benefit from the concert.