By Helen Brown

THE FIRST City of Discovery Charity Concert at the Caird Hall on Saturday set the bar high for future events in what is intended to be a regular date in Dundee’s cultural and charity fund-raising calendar.

An audience of around 1200 enjoyed an excellent evening’s entertainment led by conductor David Danzmayr at the helm of a buoyant Royal Scottish National Orchestra at its best, particularly in the Festive Overture of Shostakovich and in the flamboyant, fast-paced introduction to Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus.

Star soloist Alfie Boe presented three perfectly chosen opera arias, especially Puccini’s Addio, Fiorito Asil, from Madama Butterfly.

In the second half, the Spanish favourite Granada may have been slightly overwhelmed by the sheer might of the orchestral forces, but his Neapolitan songs were a model of vibrant sound, with some wonderfully-floated top notes.

Dundee-born pianist Christina Lawrie gave a bravura performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto, bringing together power and depth of tone with amazing facility in the faster passages and the orchestral accompaniment was superb.

She is undoubtedly a musician of whom we shall hear much more and her talent should inspire the youngsters of the Dundee section of the National Youth Choir of Scotland, who did themselves and their conductor Fiona McIntosh proud with their choral singing.

Joined by Alfie Boe and the RSNO for Funiculi, Funicula and the anthemic You’ll Never Walk Alone, they rounded the evening off in memorable style.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Radio Tay’s Cash For Kids appeal, Dundee Heritage Trust and Rotary charities.

D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. is a major supporter of the event.