They Sang at Carnegie Hall, at Melbourne Recital Centre

Bernadette Robinson brings sizzle to the Melbourne Recital Centre, paying homage to some of the greatest female singers to have played at Carnegie Hall.

It is an emotion-charged 85-minute set with the 40-piece Australian Pops Orchestra, conducted by David Young, featuring musical director Mark Jones on piano.

Time and again, Robinson extracts maximum value from songs that build and build to a rousing crescendo.

Her ability to hold notes is quite astonishing, along with the expression she puts into her delivery.

From the sensitive and seductive to the rousing and buoyant, Robinson is triumphant.

The evening starts with an overture to Carnegie Hall led by David Young.

Then the masterful Robinson takes to the stage with the iconic There’s No Business Like Showbusiness.

Thereafter follows Diamonds Are Forever, This is My Life, Crazy, Lady Sings The Blues and the powerful La Vie en Rose.

Speaking of the latter, Robinson channelling the magnificent Edith Piaf is astounding – one of the undoubted highlights of a highlight rich show.

She also pays tribute to and shares the accents and voices of Shirley Bassey, Patsy Cline, Billie Holiday, Dolly Parton, Eartha Kitt, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand.

While the focus is on the songs and the music, Robinson mixes it up with a few spoken observations from several of the exalted superstars. 

Also in her repertoire are Jolene, 9 to 5, Don’t Rain on My Parade, People and Somewhere Over the Rainbow – upwards of 20 numbers in all.

From the mellow to the popular, Robinson showcases her extraordinary range with Puccini’s operatic Vissi d’arte. Oh My. What a showstopper!

The only time she leaves the stage is to enable the Australian Pops Orchestra to be the sole focus with That’s Entertainment and Let Me Entertain You. 

Against the pretty backdrop of 27 batons of multi-coloured light surrounded by sparkling fairy lights, the orchestra, dressed in elegant evening wear, is captivating.

With a single encore, being The Trolley Song, Robinson and maestro David Young exit stage left, having intoxicated the audience with their musical prowess.

They Sang at Carnegie Hall, starring Bernadette Robinson, is on again at 2pm on 23^rd December.

John Foreman’s Australian Pops Orchestra’s four concert series continues with The Idols of Music Theatre at 7pm on 27^th December and at 2pm on 28^th December.

That is when Rob Mills, Casey Donovan and Paulini will be front and centre.

Also on the orchestra’s dance card are The New Year’s Eve and The Day Before Gala Concerts, a mix of Broadway classics and orchestral favourites.

These will feature Marina Prior, Lucy Durack and Simon Gleeson, who will be joined by the Dana Jolly Dancers.

There are three concerts, on the 30^th and 31^st December at 2pm, with another at 8pm on the last day of the year.

To book for all concerts, go to www.apoconcerts.com