AN orchestra is to perform alongside international and local talent as part of its new season of events.
Wrexham Symphony Orchestra opens its 2011/12 season at William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University, with an evening of Fanfares and Fairy Tales.
The concert on November 26 will feature Russell Gray, one of the world’s top brass instrumentalists, as soloist in Alexander Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto.
Also being performed will be perennial favourites the Hansel and Gretel Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from Sleeping Beauty and Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, as well as Prokofiev’s suite from his ballet music for the fairy tale Cinderella.
March next year will see the return of international conductor Kenneth Woods, who has brought the orchestra critical acclaim.
He will take the ensemble in a programme of Dvorak and Bruckner on March 10 before it opens Wrexham Arts Festival on May 5.
Nic Fallowfield, who works both as conductor and violinist, makes his debut with the orchestra for the May concert, celebrating the Olympic host city of London with music from Edward Elgar, Max Bruch and Vaughan Williams.
Fallowfield will be joined by violinist Tom Bowes with Bruch’s First Violin Concerto.
The season finale, on July 8, will see the former leader of the Manchester Camearata, Richard Howarth, link up once more with the orchestra and a highlight of the evening will be Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto played by Lucy Arch.
Lucy, 17, is a member of the orchestra and also of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
Orchestra chairman Matthew Ellis said: “This year's programme promises to be a true feast of music celebrating the best of local talent, international talent and British music.
“We are thrilled to be able to introduce Russell Gray to the town as a soloist as he is better known as a conductor of both the WSO and the Cambrian Orchestra.
“To welcome such acclaimed musicians as Kenneth Woods, Nic Fallowfield, Tom Bowes and Richard Howarth as well just underlines the achievements made by the musicians of the WSO.”
Tickets for the November concert are available from Wrexham Tourist Information Centre.