Last Friday, I was treated to my first visit to hear the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, for the VSO Pops performance “As Heard On TV”.
Guest conductor, Steve Reineke, musical director of The New York Pops, brought extra swing and charisma to the show as he lead the VSO through the show which highlighted music from television. Starting off with a History Of TV Overture, the opening number took the audience on an aural history of TV themes, from the 50’s to today; I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Bonanza, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, M*A*S*H, The Simpsons, X-Files and many more. The nostalgic Overture has something for everyone’s television theme memories. Conductor Reineke then introduces vocalist Christina Biano, making her Vancouver debut, for a medley from the musical show Smash and a singing Petula Clark’s “Downtown” during the tribute The Ed Sullivan Show which also included a orchestral medley of Beatles tunes. Highlights from Game Shows and Sports with the Hockey Night in Canada and the Olympic Fanfare. British TV was represented by the themes from Monty Python;s Flying Circus and Downton Abbey.
Christina Bianco, the award-nominated stage musical singer has gained a huge YouTube following for her amazing vocal impressions which she showcased during a multi-voiced rendition of Neverland from Peter Pan; featuring her voices of Celine Dion, Kristen Chenoweth, Julie Andrews, Liza Minelli, Britney Spears and many more. More TV theme favourites were featured during a sing-a-long segment with the words to the themes played on screen for the audience to join in.
Children’s TV brought a twinge of nostalgia to the audience with a tribute to Jim Henson with the Sesame Street, The Muppets and Fraggle Rock themes. Ms Bianco wrapped up the show with more of her vocal skills on a Judy Garland Show segment. No TV theme show performance would be complete without The Golden Girls theme which found the audience joining in to sing during the encore.
As a TV junky, As Heard On TV was a perfect first visit to the VSO for me but it definitely won’t be my last.