Rain fails to dim ‘Classical Sparks’

Press, 15 February 1986, Page 9

Rain fails to dim ‘Classical Sparks’

Rain failed to dampen the spirits of an estimated 5000 people who braved the elements to attend the “Classical Sparks” concert in Hagley Park last evening.

It was the second time that the concert, which combines the forces of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and the Lucifer Fireworks and Searchlight Company has been held.

People of all ages huddled under trees and umbrellas before the brightly lit stage. Beside it stood a huge programme of the evening’s items illuminated by a red spotlight. A Beatles medley boomed out through a good sound system. Organisers wandered about with walkie-talkies to the strains of “Yellow Submarine” as the public relations officer for Sum-

mer Times, Bridget Hanrahan, explained that the equipment and fireworks had taken two days to set up. "The crowd’s not really perhaps up to the 12,000 we had last year but the people who are here are attentive, enthusiastic and happy to be here,” she said.

The conductor, William Southgate, announced the next song, “A Hard Day’s Night,” laughed and said “No comment.” It was followed by the grand finale, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

As the orchestra began the piece, two big red torches appeared from the left which lit a threepronged fountain of golden rain. Coloured spheres fired across each other in time to the music and as the overture reached its crescendo, a

new addition to last year’s rendition, six Army cannons, boomed in synchronisation with exploding fireballs. Sixty members of the third Field Regiment were on hand to work the artillery and provide security. The evening ended with giant starshells and smoke filled the air as the audience applauded long and hard.

For some people the concert had its drawbacks. Two elderly callers to “The Press” last evening complained about the noise and vibration caused by the cannon fire. One man, who lives in Park Terrace, said his house shook.

“I would have thought' the Army had’ better things to do with its time. W’re not living in an atomic age yet,” he said.