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CHARLEROI 2010: PROGRAM IS COMPLETE – CLICK HERE

Article written on the 4th of March 2010

Now we’re approaching the NOTP show in Charleroi on the 24th of April 2010, Jan Vereecke (or the organizers Jan & Jan) responds to some of our questions.



NOTPFan – 2009 was a very good year for the shows of Night of the Proms during the fall; quality in the music and a lot of interest of the public; in Antwerp and The Netherlands the show-level was also increased what was welcomed very much by the audience. Are you going to continue on this road for 2010?

Jan – Everything starts with the music, and we’re busy booking the first artist (some are already booked for the different locations). Besides that, there is an idea for a new setup of the stage, but it’s to early to go into detail on that. The only thing for sure, is that the catwalk will be kept, together with the standing area’s on almost every show.

Sharleen Spiteri

NOTPFan – For the show in Charleroi on the 24th of April 2010, Sharleen Spiteri (Texas) is already booked. Will she perform the same songs of her striking performance to the NOTP shows in Antwerp 2006? Can her fans expect something special?

Jan – Sharleen will release a new album in the next few days, full with covers. She will bring one in Charleroi, Xanadu, which we might know from Olivia Newton John and ELO. Besides that, I want her to bring one of her hits from her first solo-album (what she also did underneath the Atomium in Brussels), and the 3 major hits she performed before in Antwerp.



NOTPFan – In 2008 she was on stage with you for the Stars of Europe show of Unicef. The connection between you two seems very good; does her appearance in Charleroi mean that you will go for a collaboration towards the fall in The Netherlands and/or Germany?

Jan – The connection with Sharleen is indeed great, although the start of it in Antwerp wasn’t without problems. But both sides know very well what to expect of each other – Sharleen is without any doubt a wonderful artist, with a very suited repertoire. On top of that she told me at the rehearsals of the Stars of Europe show that ‘our’ orchestra is much funkier compared with the BBC orchestra, with whom she worked with a few times before. The BBC orchestra managed to stop playing in the middle of the rehearsal of a song because the clock indicated it was time for a break! This will never happen with ll Novecento and Robert.

Jan – For now, Sharleen is not on the shortlists of the fall – in Germany, Texas has never reached a lot, but I will ask the question towards our Dutch colleagues where Texas was never as big as there are with us.

Kim Wilde

NOTPFan – Kim Wilde performed very well during the tour in Germany 2008. I read that it was the first contact for her with classical music. You didn’t have to push her much to get her to Charleroi?

Jan – Kim has accepted Charleroi right away. It’s a reoccurring phenomenon that who tasted the NOTP-treatment once, they like to see the family again. It’s also clear that our second time, everything goes much smoother and less rehearsal time is needed.



NOTPFan – Will she perform her big hits, or will there be anything special, like a duet with Sharleen?

Jan – Basically, Kim will bring the same repertoire as in Germany, but we’re still working on something special with a French artist (who hasn’t accepted yet).

NOTPFan – Is there a possibility to work with her again in Antwerp or The Netherlands?

Jan – There is always the interest – but the timing has to be right as well…

Charleroi will be a success

NOTPFan – With both artists it will be a party on stage without a doubt, and a party for the people with nostalgic to music from the ’80s and the ’90s. New this year are the duo-VIP tickets; do they sell well?

Jan – I have no view on the individual sales of the VIP-tickets, but companies massively showed interest into our offer.

NOTPFan – When do you decide if there will be a second show on Friday night?

Jan – That depends on the sales of the tickets – I really have to start the campaign this week, when the last remaining names are known.

Other artists

NOTPFan – You didn’t announce the last artists yet: the classical performer and the local one. For the classical we think of the Katona brothers of course; or you have someone else in mind?

Jan – I have indeed 2 other options, but if it would be the Katona’s in the end, I really don’t mind…

NOTPFan – And for the last artist, any ideas? A local performer or someone from outside Belgium or France?

Jan – Sadly, negotiations are taking longer than wanted – but there is already a backup plan in place !

Future

NOTPFan – Fine Fleur is participating again, what will enjoy many. Will there be some special music again like the music from the computer game?

Jan – I want to try some new things again in Charleroi – no concrete plants yet…

NOTPFan – Finally: we didn’t mention Il Novecento and the maestro, Robert Groslot. The conductor will participate to NOTP for the 20th time in 2010. Are you preparing anything special for that?

Jan – Now that you mention it we wouldn’t ‘dare’ to skip that, and put him in the spotlight on the appropriate way! I will notify Carl.

We wish all our Night of the Proms friend a happy 2010 with a lot of musical pleasures.

We leave 2009 with a mixed feeling. A musical very good edition in Charleroi with a quite disappointing number of visitors; this risks the chances to enjoy another Night of the Proms show again in the spring of this year. The spring shows could be made more attractive with more communication about the shows and more visibility in the streets, press, etc … to make them as successful as 2008. We’re waiting for news from the organization.

The silver jubilee in 2009 added a new aspect to NOTP: the party is not only a concert but also a real show; the editions in Antwerp, Arnhem and Rotterdam surprised by the choreography of the extra’s, the performance of Fine Fleur and the remarkable lightshow. This renewed concept should be kept as guidance for next editions. On top of that NOTP taught us to keep delivering good quality for a reasonable price. End conclusion: a very grateful feeling for NOTP in 2009 and we really hopeful for the fall editions of 2010.

We learned a lot during the first five months of our website; we thanks Christophe, Laurent, Kris and Wim a lot for their cooperation, the organization, all visitors, friends on our forum and all those who have send us their feedback of material. 2010 will be an investment in the archives of NOTP and let our website evolve more than before.

Dries en Bernard