Like a musical chameleon the BSO, under the energetic direction of Pete Harrison, changed its style and sound into that of a Broadway Big Band.

Gypsy Overture by Jule Styne set the scene with plenty of punch and from there the orchestra whipped through a trail of showstoppers including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jellicle Ball from Cats.

On the tinsel-bedecked stage Harrison ran through the UK’s 2012 highlights; the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and sparkling success of the Olympics and Para-Olympics as a link to The Perfect Year from Sunset Boulevard (don’t mention the rain!)

Two superb soloists, Annie Skates and James Spilling, were on hand to deliver the many vocals of which their duet All I Ask of You (Phantom of the Opera) was heartfelt and moving.

After the interval the glitz and glamour of Christmas made it to the rostrum with Harrison’s sparkling tuxedo, though not outshining Skates red-hot dress and seductively sung Santa Baby. Spiller’s beautifully relaxed style in The Christmas Song (Chestnuts) contrasted powerful singing earlier in The Impossible Dream.

From the classics a brilliantly vodka-slurred Troika by Prokofiev and in lighter vein, Anderson’s Sleigh Ride were crackers. Tributes to Ron Goodwin; his humorous arrangement of Jingle Bells and The Peanut Vendor were warmly welcomed by a packed house set upon enjoying the music and a very effective and colourful light show.