Audiences get a real kick out of the Sydney Philharmonia when the Company extends out of its classical repertoire and takes on some of the greats of popular music, such as was their current production, A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER.

Porter was one of the great songwriters of the Twentieth Century, up there with Irving Berlin, Burt Bacharach, Paul Simon, and Lennon and McCartney. He was also an interesting, complex character. This came out in Irvin Winkler’s impressive 1004 bio-pic, DE-LOVELY, with Kevin Kline playing the great, party going composer. Well worth a look.

Back to the show…The Sydney Philharmonia Festival Orchestra, conducted by Brett Weymark was in fine form, and was backed on both sides, and from behind, by the hundreds strong singers from the Philharmonia’s always impressive choir.

Rob Mallet, Kerrie Anne Greenland, Caleb Vines and Julia Lea Goodwin, recent graduates from established schools, either WAAPA or the Con, were in sparkling and playful form, as the concert’s four soloists.

All the favourite songs from Porter’s large songbook were performed including I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU, BEGIN THE BEGUINE, NIGHT AND DAY, BLOW GABRIEL BLOW, ANYTHING GOES,

This was a swell night of Cole Porter standards. A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER played the Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House on Thursday September 19 and Saturday September 21, 2013.