Summer Concert 2025 - Last Night of the Proms
5th July 2025 at 7:00pm
St Mary’s Church, Osterley Road, Isleworth. TW7 4PW
Programme
Franz von Suppé – Poet and Peasant Overture
A rousing and lyrical curtain-raiser, full of Viennese charm and theatrical flair.
Carl Maria von Weber – Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op. 75
Soloist: Colin Rowe
Weber’s virtuosic concerto showcases the expressive and nimble character of the bassoon in a work both elegant and playful.
Find out more about our soloists
Georges Bizet – Jeux d’enfants Suite, Op. 22
This delightful suite of miniatures evokes the whimsy of childhood games through Bizet’s melodic genius and sparkling orchestration.
Giacomo Puccini – “Che gelida manina” from La Bohème
Soloist: Christian Joel
A tender, soaring aria of youthful passion from Puccini’s beloved opera.
Giacomo Puccini – “Nessun dorma” from Turandot
Soloist: Christian Joel
One of opera’s most iconic arias, a powerful anthem of hope and triumph.
Giuseppe Verdi – “Ah, la paterna mano” from Macbeth
Soloist: Christian Joel
A moment of poignant reflection and sorrow from Verdi’s dramatic Shakespearean adaptation.
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Thomas Arne (arr. Sargent) – Rule, Britannia!
Soloist: Marin Yonchev
A stirring patriotic classic, arranged with grandeur by Sir Malcolm Sargent.
Edward Elgar – “Nimrod” from Enigma Variations
A deeply moving tribute to friendship and memory, revered as a cornerstone of British music.
Edward Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
Featuring “Land of Hope and Glory”, this triumphant march is a rousing celebration of national pride.
C. Hubert H. Parry – Jerusalem
An enduring hymn of hope and unity, beloved across generations.
Traditional (arr. Benjamin Britten) – God Save the King
The national anthem in Britten’s richly dignified arrangement.
Colin Rowe
Colin Rowe’s musical journey began with the French bassoon under the tutelage of Cecil James before earning a Music Scholarship to Bedford School. There, he studied with Tim Mallet and transitioned to the German bassoon. He pursued a degree in Music at Goldsmiths, University of London, during which time he was co-principal bassoon for the University of London Orchestra.
During a career shift into Nursing at the University of the West of England, Colin remained connected to music, holding the position of principal bassoon for the UWE Orchestra for 18 years, during which he made his concerto debut. His expertise on the contrabassoon led to an appointment by the Bristol Ensemble , a role he continues to perform at a professional level with various orchestras.
Colin’s association with the Hounslow Symphony Orchestra dates back to childhood, when he attended rehearsals with his father. Since 2019, he has been a regular performer with the orchestra. Outside of his musical career, Colin is a lecturer in Nursing at Roehampton University, balancing his passion for education with his dedication to performance.
Christian Joel
Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, the tenor Christian Joel studied at HEMU de Lausanne and the Zurich University of the Arts.
He was an artist of the International Opera Studio at Opéra de Lyon during the 2019-2020 season. Christian’s recent operatic roles have included David in John Adams’ I was looking at the ceiling and then I saw the sky, Dr Sachs in Michael Nyman’s The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Prince Paul in Offenbach’s La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein.
He performs as a concert soloist, appearing in Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Mozart’s Requiem and in numerous Bach cantatas.
