THE BSO's chief conductor Kirill Karabits is on a laudable mission to challenge audiences more and broaden their horizons.

But as evenings such as the Classical Extravaganza at the Lighthouse prove, there's nothing quite like giving music fans what they want.

It's billed as one of the most spectacular nights of the BSO year, and rightly so, complete with lights, lasers, fire and fireworks.

Back by popular demand, the Extravaganza clearly featured something on everyone's list of favourites, judging by both the rapturous reaction and the packed house.

The programme opened with a journey from the racy (Marriage of Figaro) to the jazzy (Shostakovich's Second Waltz) to the haunting - Ravel's Pavane for a Dead Princess.

The undoubted highlight of the first half was an absolutely stunning performance of Ravel's Bolero which built and built into that Wow finish we all know.

The audience was asked to vote by clapometer to select one of four pieces for the orchestra - and they chose wisely. The rousing Finlandia by Jean Sibelius. Incredibly Sibelius came to Bournemouth in 1924 to conduct this piece with the BSO.

The Wagnerian masterpiece Tannhauser with its spine-tingling strings opened a second half which ended with another big production number, Tchaikovsky's 1812.

The BSO's Leverhulme Young Conductor, Frank Zielhorst was at the podium and was at times almost flying as he immersed himself totally in every piece. He has an incredible rapport with the musicians and obvious passion.

The evening also featured pieces as disparate as Handel's Largo from Xerxes, The Firebird by Stravinsky and a real rocking rendition of Symphonic Dances from Westside Story illustrating just what a versatile bunch these musicians are.

From Wagner to Bernstein in the blink of an eye without so much as a second's hesitation.

While purists may sniff at the flash bang add-ons to this particular event, the strobes and indoor pyrotechnics give the occasion a little something extra.

A classical extravaganza of truly epic proportions.