A whimsically festive experience enriched by the musical accompaniment of the Northern Chamber Orchestra
Taking place in the historical grounds of Tatton Park, from the moment I arrived I was greeted by an ambient lighted trail paired with a Christmas soundtrack to set the scene. This led us to the main grounds where there is a variety of amenities including food stalls and a Yuletide light trial for an additional cost.
Beginning with a Wonderland themed mansion tour, Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) presents A Christmas Wonderland, taking you on a journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland with a Christmas twist. Within each of the mansion rooms, there were different displays inspired by the classic tale neatly placed among the impressive heritage features of the mansion itself. From entering the mansion to ending the tour in the concert hall, you are transported to a whimsically festive world which is enriched by the musical composition of the NCO.
Accompanied by The Choir of St Nicholas Catholic High School, the orchestra conducted by Katie Stillman, plays a variety of differing composer pieces alongside some popular Christmas classics, such as “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and “Sleighride”.
Stillman’s passionate performance, as not only a conductor, in which she detailed and introduced each of the songs and their inspirations, but a violinist was personally one of my favourite features. Her rendition of Czardas was inspiring and moving, opening my eyes to a whole new style of classical music.
The young people of St Nicholas’s, especially their soloists, were lovely to watch and added a festive warmth with their choral singing. The interactive elements near the end of the performance were insightfully playful, with hymns directed by the composer and accompanied by the audience, and an invitation to use your keys as jingle bells during the final song, really allowed us as spectators to feel involved in the performance and to get into the christmas spirit.
To summarise, A Christmas Wonderland, set in the heritage rich grounds of Tatton Park is a must see this winter. The NCOs upcoming concerts include Gloria In Excelsis Deo and Northern Winds Unleashed which will both take place in Macclesfield in December and January.