Live Review: Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Music Of Stevie & Aretha

Perth Symphony Orchestra have certainly explored new ground in 2018. Following a series of impressive events including the standout Ministry Of Sound Orchestrated earlier this year, the orchestra kept the momentum rolling with Signed, Sealed, Delivered: a two-night tribute to the musical prowess of Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. Wonder collaborated with Franklin on Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do), from her 42nd studio album A Brand New Me, which features The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was released last year, so it's fitting that these two soul icons be celebrated in harmony.

As tubs of popcorn and glasses of bubbly are consumed by the sea of people, Astor Theatre's glorified shoebox of a lobby was abuzz with excitement before the show. 

Perth Symphony Orchestra's quirky, non-traditional streak was present from the first voice-over, which actively encouraged photography and the use of social media during the show. After a message from PSO founder and Executive Director Bourby Webster, the show got underway with a soul-lifting rendition of the classic Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours). A 13-year-old student, Jordan Anthony, then shocked the audience with his remarkably mature vocal effort on Hallelujah, I Love Her So.

Not to be outdone, diva Sophie Foster followed this with an inspired I Say A Little Prayer/Chain Of Fools medley - two tracks which PSO and WAAPA Gospel Choir quickly proved were perfect for this setting. This sentiment continued as PSO perfectly executed a strings-only, pizzicato-laced performance of Wonder's smash hit I Just Called To Say I Love You, which was succeeded by an equally stirring a capella version of the song Franklin recorded with George Michael, I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me), by WAAPA Gospel Choir.

Throughout the night, PSO's Head Of Contemporary Voice and soloist Matt Allen held his own to deliver impressive performances of Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, Sir Duke and Higher Ground. Foster, on the other hand, shone, repeatedly mirrored the dynamic and powerful vocals of The Queen Of Soul herself, even earning a standing ovation for her stunning performance of Puccini's operatic Nessun Dorma.

By including surprises like a strangely apt, string- and choir-supported version of Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise, Perth Symphony Orchestra continue to rattle the cage of traditional orchestra performance to present this form of music to a wider audience. On a night that saw children as young as six as well as folks north of 60 all taking to the aisles with their dancing boots on, PSO could conclusively declare the night a success.