Ripon’s St Cecilia Orchestra will return to the city’s cathedral next month with its first performances since March last year.
Two hour-long performances will be staged on Saturday, October 2 at 4pm and 7.30 pm.
The concert will feature Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, which in April topped the Classic FM hall of fame chart for a record eleventh time.
Violinist Charlotte Scott will join the orchestra for the performance which marks 100 years since The Lark Ascending was first performed in its orchestral version.
The audience will also hear Wagner’s symphonic poem Siegfried Idyll and Beethoven’s light-hearted Symphony No. 8.
Ms Scott said:
“It’s always a joy to be asked to perform The Lark Ascending.
“I love searching each time I play this masterwork for new colour and lines in the music that truly represent the lark and its surrounding nature: the possibilities are endless.”
Charlotte Scott. Picture: Matthew Johnson Photography
The Wagner and Beethoven represent a more intimate performance than might usually be seen by St Cecilia in Ripon Cathedral, which last year saw the performance of Mahler’s epic second symphony.
To ensure audience and orchestra safety, the concert is shorter than usual and there will be no intervals.
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Conductor Xenophon Kelsey, who founded the orchestra and has been with it throughout its 26-year history, said it was excited to be back:
“I can’t wait, It’s going to be fantastic to see our wonderful players together again after 18 months of no concerts.”
Tickets are available online (www.st-cecilia.org.uk) or in-person from the Little Ripon Bookshop and Henry Roberts and will also be sold on the door.
