Members of the Midland Festival Orchestra, from left, Jan Lumely Judith Claes and Mary Forrester with the Mayor and Mayoress of Shrewsbury Cllr Miles and Mrs Aurona Kenny.
Two special concerts featuring leading musicians from throughout Europe are being planned in Shropshire next month.
The events will be held in Shrewsbury Abbey on Saturday April 23 and Sunday 24 and are the highlights of the Mayor of Shrewsbury’s charity concert weekend which aims to raise money for three local good causes.
Mayor Miles Kenny said that the concerts would feature some popular classical music and some interesting lesser-known pieces performed by first class musicians in a wonderful setting.
He said: “I am really looking forward to both events, which should be amazing evenings and we are hoping that local people will come out in force to support them.
“We are welcoming the Midland Festival Orchestra to Shrewsbury Abbey on April 23, which is St George’s Day. The orchestra draws together leading performers from countries such as France, Holland, Germany and the UK and we are delighted that Maitane Sebastian will be playing the cello concerto by Edward Elgar.”
Maitane is an award-wining Spanish cellist who has recorded several albums and played with leading orchestras in Europe and performed at classical music festivals. She will be conducted by Ian Ward who is well known in Shropshire’s musical circles, despite moving to France 10 years ago where he conducts three choirs.
The evening will also include Josef Rheinberger’s secnd organ concerto played by Nigel Pursey and a performance of Elgar’s Engima Variations.
The concert on April 24 will feature the English Roses Chamber Choir and Orchestra, a collection of talented young singers and musicians performing two works by French baroque composer Michel de Lalande, Vivaldi’s concerto for strings and a Handel organ concerto.
Tickets for each concert cost £12 and £20 for both concerts and £3 for students, with all proceeds going to The Lingen Davis Cancer Trust, The Shrewsbury Ark and the Abbey organ restoration fund.
Organiser Jan Lumley said that it was hoped that the events would give a boost to the organ fund as over £400,000 was needed to fully restore it.
“No work has been carried out on the famouse William Hill organ at Shrewsbury Abbey since the 1950s so it is in desperate need of renovation and repair,” she said.
Concert tickets can be bought from the Abbey Shop, Pengwern Books in Fish Street, Shrewsbury and on the door.
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