IT HAS become a bit of an annual get-together for fans of orchestral music in Kirklees.
Two events offering a chance to get a sneak preview of what’s in store for them in the next Kirklees Orchestral Concert season.
But it’s also an opportunity to hear top musicians talk about their world and to offer an insight into just what goes into the musical choices that will be seen in our concert halls this winter.
Opera North, who manage the major concert seasons in both Huddersfield and Dewsbury, understand perfectly the value of communicating with its audiences – and not just through its musicians.
It’s why it has stuck firmly with the idea of unveiling the programme for the autumn and spring concerts seasons in the halls in which they are staged.
This year’s previews are next week. The first is on Tuesday (July 2) at Huddersfield Town Hall and repeated the following day, Wednesday July 3 at Dewsbury Town Hall. Both events will start at 7.30pm.
The previews will be hosted by two top musicians.
Opera North’s Music Director, Richard Farnes and Kirklees Borough Organist Dr Gordon Stewart.
Richard Farnes has been Music Director at Opera North since 2004 and has a glittering track record of conducting productions at the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Scottish Opera, English Touring Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Glyndebourne on tour.
He has also conducted the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Scottish Chamber Orchestra. He is currently conducting Opera North’s production of Siegfried.
Gordon Stewart is one of the UK’s most in demand organists. He’s played concerts in many major concert halls from St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and Westminster Cathedral, to Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Melbourne Town Hall and Johannesburg Cathedral.
If they can’t make the new season’s programme come alive for preview audiences, who can?
If the previews go according to previous years, there will be stories and opinions on composers, music and musicians.
The two events are an entertainment in themselves.
For as well as talking about the music that has been chosen and about the musicians who will play it, there will be a chance to ask questions of the experts. There will also be live music.
This year that will be played by violinist and leader of the Orchestra of Opera North David Greed, and pianist Ian Buckle who is a soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and teacher.
Head for either venue on the preview nights, have a glass of wine or a cuppa and listen to what exciting things lie ahead for the concert season due to start in the autumn.
