Allegro Baroque & Beyond Royal Fireworks Concert on Sunday, July 31st in Riverfront Park
Considering this year was the 33rd Anniversary, I am sure a lot of you know about Allegro’s Royal Fireworks Concert. It is a free family event held in Riverfront Park with live music and fireworks. However it’s way more than that!!!
Allegro’s Royal Band conducted by David Dutton, consists of not one but sixteen Oboes, four English Horns, eight Bassoons, nine horns, nine trumpets, two percussionists, one serpent, and one contrabassoon. Whew… that is incredible! It’s not every day you get to hear that many Oboes at once or even a Serpent.
To make the evening even more incredible the Royal Band performs on the Floating Stage outside the Opera House, with flame lit torches that reflected on the Spokane River. The music and scenery were equally gorgeous. Did you know that Allegro’s Royal Band is the oldest established band of its type in the United States? How lucky are we to get to experience their music live outdoors under the stars and fireworks?! I feel that Spokane is very lucky to have this (and many other) opportunities to branch out and experience the arts. The “Musick for the Royal Fireworks, 1749” by G.F. Handel flirted with the fireworks creating an enchanting evening. The fireworks were stunning! Allegro’s Royal Band sounded pristine the entire night and it was a complete treat to enjoy their passion and music.
We came to the park from the Willie Nelson Concert so unfortunately we didn’t get to sit on the Opera House side where we could see the band up close and personal. Next year we are going to make a point to get down early and grab a good seat. The group organizing the event did a great job piping the music over the river and into the Lilac Bowl, we could hear it loud and clear.
A huge thank you to everyone who works hard to put this event together, who donate their time and money… it is such a neat part of the Spokane Arts Community.
Photos courtesy of Matt Auclair.
