Dancing in the street: the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performs with West End star Gloria Onitiri in Groove
Through evocative songwriting and impactful performances, soul and disco music have brought people together for decades, encouraging listeners and musicians alike to share stories, emotions, and leave it all on the dance floor. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) is excited to highlight and amplify the sounds of some of the most iconic soul and disco artists in Symphonic Groove on Saturday 27 June, a concert which will bring audiences together at the De La Warr Pavilion lawns as part of Bexhill's Big Summer Sounds festival, celebrating the joy, freedom and power that radiates from each song.
The seaside concert will feature beloved songs that combine skillful storytelling with undeniable groove, such as Respect, No Mountain High Enough, Disco Inferno, and I Will Survive. Such iconic songs can only be met by truly powerhouse performers, which is why the RPO is delighted to be joined by Gloria Onitiri as a featured vocalist. Onitiri is a British-Nigerian vocalist, actress and West End star, who has been described as ‘a remarkable and influential figure in modern theatre’. Some of her most recent performances include Persephone in Hadestown Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew, and Anna Maria Mozart in Saving Mozart.
Ahead of her upcoming performance with the RPO, we got the chance to ask Onitiri a few questions about the concert.
Symphonic Groove features music from some of the most influential female artists in popular music, including Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, and Diana Ross. How does it feel to draw on their work and perform such iconic music?
'It’s always an honour and privilege! These women didn’t just create incredible music, they shaped the culture and opened doors for generations of artists. And then to get to do it with a symphony orchestra…? Incredible! Performing their iconic music live, celebrating their legacy in a fresh way while still honouring what made it so timeless. Sharing that joy with an audience. What a gift!'
Are there any songs in particular that you are most excited to perform?
I think it would have to be Midnight Train to Georgia. It holds so much history for so many people and I love hearing people’s stories about what that song means to them afterwards.
How does the addition of the full symphony orchestra transform the songs in concert?
The orchestra completely transforms the emotional landscape of the songs. It brings a richness and scale that feels cinematic, whilst also making any quieter moments even more intimate. To be carried by this incredible wave of sound inspires new ways of telling the story of those songs!
You perform frequently on the West End and in theatres across the country. What does your theatre background bring to a performance like Symphonic Groove?
My background as an actress is all about storytelling and connecting with an audience. So matter the style of music, I always think about the emotion behind the song and how to bring that to life.
Why do you think audiences will have a great time at Symphonic Groove?
Silly question! How could they not?!
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