Opera Scotland

Grand Night for Singing 2021Edinburgh International Festival

Read more about the opera Grand Night for Singing

Composer Richard Rodgers (1902-79) and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) are widely recognized to be the most successful creators of musical theatre during the twentieth century.  Five shows are especially highly regarded - Oklahoma,  Carousel,  South Pacific,  The King and I and The Sound of Musc.  However other musicals also contain material that is well worth hearing, even when the complete show has had less lasting success.

This musical review was conceived by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Walter Bobbie, and opened on Broadway in 1993.  It takes music from the great Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals (as well as some less remembered works) and attaches them to a new plot-line.

The shows raided for material were Oklahoma! (1943);  Carousel (1945);  State Fair (Cinema 1945);  Allegro (1947);  South Pacific (1949);   The King and I (1951)  Me and Juliet (1953);  Pipe Dream (1955);  Cinderella (TV 1957);  Flower Drum Song (1958) and  The Sound of Music (1959).

Musical Arrangements were by Fred Wells, with Orchestrations by Michael Gibson & Jonathan Tunick.

 

 

 

The programme was as follows:

ACT I‘

Carousel Waltz’  Carousel.

‘So Far’  Allegro.

‘It’s a Grand Night for Singing’  State Fair.

‘The Surrey with the Fringe on Top’  Oklahoma!

‘Stepsisters’ Lament’  Cinderella.

'We Kiss in a Shadow’  The King and I.

‘Hello, Young Lovers’  The King and I.

‘A Wonderful Guy’  South Pacific.

‘I Cain’t Say No’  Oklahoma!

‘Maria’  The Sound of Music.

‘Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful?’  Cinderella.

‘Honey Bun’  South Pacific.

‘The Gentleman is a Dope’  Allegro.

‘Don’t Marry Me’   Flower Drum Song.

‘I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair’   South Pacific.

‘If I Loved You’  Carousel.

‘Shall We Dance?’  The King and I.

‘That’s the Way It Happens’  Me and Juliet.

‘AllAt Once You Love Her’  Pipe Dream.

‘Some Enchanted Evening’  South Pacific.

 

ACT II

‘Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’’ Oklahoma!

‘Wish Them Well’ Allegro.

‘The Man I Used to Be’ Pipe Dream.

‘It Might as Well Be Spring’ State Fair.

‘When the Children Are Asleep’ Carousel.

‘I Know It Can Happen Again’ Allegro.

‘MyLittle Girl’  Carousel.

‘It’s Me’  Me and Juliet.

‘Love, Look Away’  Flower Drum Song.

‘When You’re Driving Through the Moonlight’ Cinderella.

‘A Lovely Night’ Cinderella.

‘Something Wonderful’ The King and I.

‘This Nearly Was Mine’ South Pacific.

‘Impossible’ Cinderella.

‘I Have Dreamed’ The King and I.