19th Century Vienna turns up in Croydon (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

19th Century Vienna turns up in Croydon

8:00am Sunday 15th February 2009 in Music By Graham Moody

With a soprano soloist and a violinist conductor combined with period costume dancers you could be forgiven for thinking you have travelled back to the glory days of 19th Century Vienna in Strictly Strauss.

Featuring the music of Johann Strauss and his son Josef, the performance takes you through all the splendid dances of the era - from Strauss’ sweet waltzes to his vibrant polka’s.

“What the audience will find is a beautiful orchestra and soprano soloist and then eight fantastically clad dancers in period costume and me as the host, conductor and violin soloist,” said Daniel Rowland.

“I am always very excited in the beginning just after Christmas day when we start the tour in the Barbican.

“It goes all the way to the end of February then so it is quite long and there are two orchestras we use, one southern-based orchestra and a northern-based orchestra.”

The production was first taken on tour in 1975 to mark the 150th death of Johann and has travelled around the UK every year since, with Daniel involved for the last three.

“There is a mixture of the slow and lovely waltzes and also the Polka, some of which when he is influenced by the Russians and the gypsys are fast and furious.

Daniel Rowland

Every year they chose a different singer and for the current dates it is the turn of Elena Xanthoudakis.

“She’s a wonderful singer with great technique and a very good stage persona," said Daniel.

“It’s not all about the music and there is a little bit of theatre in there as well.

“It is quite an interesting mixture we have that combines music by both Johannes Strauss and also some by Josef as people are not that aware of what he did and how good his stuff was.

“There is a mixture of the slow and lovely waltzes and also the Polka, some of which when he is influenced by the Russians and the gypsys are fast and furious.

“Not all of Strauss’ music is Viennese and sweet and lovely.”

Strictly Strauss, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, February 27, 7.30pm, £19.50 to £25.50. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.