Review: Orchestra of Opera North ***

On this occasion it had the added attraction of the cellist, Jamie Walton, in a performance of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, though the cathedral acoustic was to prove less than kind to his celebrated Guarneri cello, even managing to diminish the power of the work’s imposing first solo entry.

From therein there was always a problem of balance, the Orchestra of Opera North, often playing too powerfully, swallowing-up the solo role.

The concert had opened in dramatic mood with Weber’s overture to his opera, Euryanthe, the brass bringing sonorous impact, the work’s ending suitably triumphant.

Piotrowicz’s response to the Brahms Fourth Symphony was one of trenchant power, tempos always pushing forward with urgency in the outer movements, his slow movement drawing playing of beauty from the strings, and along the way the principal horn’s solo passages were outstanding.

Piotrowicz conducts The Hallé tomorrow night, Royal Hall, Harrogate, 7.30pm. 01765 603994.