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Ulster Orchestra announces details of its golden season

The Ulster Orchestra have announced details of their 50th anniversary season
The Ulster Orchestra have announced details of their 50th anniversary season The Ulster Orchestra have announced details of their 50th anniversary season

THE Ulster Orchestra's 50th season begins in September. Fourteen subscription concerts will feature special guest soloists including cellist Alisa Weilerstein, wife of chief conductor Rafael Payare.

There are also 10 concerts in the JTI Lunchtime Series, eight Popular Favourites concerts (including a night devoted to the music of James Bond) and two special 50th anniversary events.

Barry Douglas will perform all three of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concertos with the Ulster Orchestra to mark the 30th Anniversary of his gold medal at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition, while Rafael Payare explores Beethoven's canon by performing the 5th, 6th and 9th Symphonies, the Violin Concerto and the Emperor Piano Concerto, in addition to conducting a concert performance of La boheme,

Principal guest conductor Jac van Steen takes the podium for concerts featuring vocal music, including the Good Friday concert, Fauré’s Requiem, while Ulster Orchestra veteran Yan Pascal Tortelier will conduct his arrangement of Ravel’s Piano Trio in A minor.

Returning favourites include Handel’s Messiah with Belfast Philharmonic Choir, Burns Night, and The Snowman and a Christmas carol sing-along at Christmas.

:: Full programme information online at Ulsterorchestra.org.uk.