Opera star Donald Maxwell delighted to support Perth 800 concert

Jul 2 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DONALD Maxwell’s career in opera has elevated him on to the world stage, yet he is quick to acknowledge his time on the nursery slopes of music and song in his home city of Perth.

And thus it was that Donald readily accepted Provost John Hulbert’s invitation to be part of the exciting Perth 800 Celebration Concert in Perth Concert Hall this Sunday.

As a fledgling musician, Donald was an original member of Perth Youth Orchestra, and in his 20s, before becoming a full-time singer, he sang with Perth Choral Society and the then Perth Cathedral Operatic Group (now renamed Perth City Operatic Group).

All these organisations continue to flourish and will be part of Sunday’s wide-ranging showcase of the city’s vast local musical talent covering all ages.

“It’s very nice for me being a native of Perth to be asked to take part in this concert, and also from a personal point of view because of my connections which go back a long way,” said Donald, speaking in London while en route to rehearse for Holland Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Force of Destiny which opens at the end of the month.

Donald arrives in his home town today and is looking forward to soaking up some of the other Perth 800 celebrations this weekend as well as preparing for Sunday’s concert.

He’ll be compering the event and performing two doubly home-spun songs – ‘Patriotism’ and ‘Thrang and Thrivin’. Both feature words by poet William Soutar set to music by John Scrimger, who will accompany Donald on piano.

“One of these songs is new, the other has been previously performed, and both are little songs which I think capture the spirit of Perth.

“I’m delighted to be singing these numbers accompanied by John, who has really been so much a part of Perth music over such a long period of time,” Donald said.

“This concert is a very good reflection of the very vibrant music community in Perth spanning the generations.

“These organisation keep going very successfully which is not the case in other communities.”

The Perth 800 Celebration Concert is co-ordinated by Henry Neil MBE and Martin Neilson, who said: “The evening promises to be a great spectacle with around 400 performers displaying a great range of vocal and instrumental talent, not forgetting of course the young dancers.

“All the groups have been rehearsing their own ‘spot’ individually, sacrificing these lovely summer evenings to sing and play together in order to be ready for Sunday.

“We are also delighted to have a special contribution from the Spessart Highlanders visiting from Aschaffenburg, ably assisted by members of the Blairgowrie Pipe Band.

“Tickets are priced at a modest £5 so as many local people as possible can have the opportunity to enjoy this rare coming together of so many Perth musicians.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm with a joint performance of Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances by Perth Youth Orchestra and Perth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Allan Young.

Other slots will be taken by Chansons, Perth Barbershop Singers, Perth and Kinross Schools’ Big Band, Perth Amateur Operatic Society and Perth City Operatic Group, Perth Choral Society, the Julie Young Dance School, the Fair City Singers and Perthshire Brass.

Tickets from the box offices at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, telephone 01738 621031 and online www.horsecross.co.uk