Photograph (C) Huw John
BBC National Orchestra of Wales will perform at Swansea’s iconic Grand Theatre for the first time on Friday 31 January, whilst the city’s Brangwyn Hall undergoes refurbishment.
The concert is the first of six to be held at the Grand Theatre between January and June, in place of the Orchestra’s annual season at the Brangwyn Hall. The Orchestra’s move is a temporary arrangement whilst the Brangwyn Hall undergoes refurbishment, and the Orchestra returns to the Brangwyn Hall in October 2014 as part of the Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts.
During the Brangwyn Hall’s 12-month refurbishment, the Orchestra felt it important to continue to perform in Swansea, as the Orchestra’s Director Michael Garvey explains: “It’s really important that we continue to visit Swansea whilst our usual venue, the Brangwyn Hall is being refurbished – and we’re delighted that the Grand Theatre are able to welcome us to their beautiful theatre for our 2014 season.
“We’re looking forward to seeing our supportive and enthusiastic audiences in this new venue, and we hope that they’ll enjoy the wonderful music we have planned for them.”
For the first concert of the season, conductor Anu Tali takes to the stage as she works with the Orchestra in Dvořák’s Symphony No 9. Named as his New World symphony, it’s one of Dvořák’s most popular works, written after the Czech composer moved to New York. It takes influences from both his Czech roots and his new home in America, and includes many Native American folk tunes.
The concert also features the viola player Lawrence Power, a former member of BBC Radio 3’s New Generation Artists scheme. Lawrence joins the Orchestra in Swansea to play the Viola Concerto of Miklós Rózsa, a composer who wrote some of Hollywood’s greatest film scores – including the music to Ben Hur.
Tickets are priced at £12.50-£15.50 (discounts available), and can be booked through the Orchestra’s Audience Line on 0800 052 1812. Alternatively, tickets can be bought through the Grand Theatre by calling 01792 475715. For bookings through the Grand Theatre, all tickets are subject to a 50p Restoration Fund Contribution, and online bookings are subject to a £2.50 fee per transaction. A 2% fee is added when booking by credit card.
For more information about the Orchestra, visit their website at bbc.co.uk/now.
