Music
Proms in the Park
Glasgow Green
Four stars
Although KT Tunstall had top billing for the BBC event, it was mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill's performances that deserved most praise. The Arbroath born singer treated the crowd to opera classics such as Habanera from Bizet's Carmen and Dorabella's aria from Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, before appearing in a fitting tartan dress for a more traditional closing section, including Highland Cathedral, Eriskay Love Lilt and - during the live link up with the Royal Albert Hall - The Skye Boat Song.
Musical Theatre newbies Collabro, although popular with the limited younger section of the crowd, didn't quite hit the mark with their song selection, however. The Britain's Got Talent winners chose two solo numbers and made them four-part harmony performances, and for both Music of the Night and Somewhere Over the Rainbow this just didn't work. They had more success with Stars from Les Miserables but they desperately need to extend their repertoire.
Presenter Jamie MacDougall's "jokes" attempted to keep the Proms in the Park experience in the Saturday night telly mould. "More Mary Doll than Farandole out there," he quipped cheekily when the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra expertly executed Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No.2. Eliciting groans from the crowd was probably not in his job description and the comedic skill of both Greg McHugh and Leah MacRae left MacDougall at the starting block; the stars of Gary: Tank Commander "nailed it" with a playful take on Love is an Open Door from Disney's smash hit film Frozen.
Conducted by Stephen Bell, the full programme provided light and shade, and the rain stayed away until the Finale of traditional songs. Highlights were Sondheim's Night Waltz (as darkness fell) and John Williams' soaring E.T. soundtrack (under the appropriately moonlit sky).
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