Huddersfield world premiere for Kirklees Concert Season

After a joyful reception for the Orchestra of Opera North’s first concert at Huddersfield Town Hall in over a year and a half, the Kirklees Concert Season continues on 7 October with a world premiere, and works by Mendelssohn and Brahms.

Gresley is a new Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra by British composer and Principal Conductor of the Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra Benjamin Ellin. Written for the Orchestra of Opera North’s bass trombonist Christian Jones, it is inspired by the life of Sir Nigel Gresley, who overcame tragedy and grief to become one of the greatest railway engineers in history.

It's a story of human resilience, which is more relevant than ever today. “Of course, everyone has found this period really difficult, and as musicians, being cooped up at home in front of a screen is the antithesis of what we do", says Christian.

“The turmoil of the pandemic has made many people reassess what is important to them, and for me it confirmed my absolute love of performing and sharing music. This new concerto for my under-represented instrument marks the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

“I love the hall in Huddersfield and the warm welcome that we always receive from our audience, whether it’s our regulars, new visitors, or the many University students who come to enjoy live classical music. Simply being together in a concert hall again is a kind of communal act which celebrates our emergence from the pandemic.”

Mendelssohn’s thrilling sound-painting of a stormy Fingal’s Cave, the Hebrides Overture, opens the concert, and Brahms’ Symphony No. 2 touches down on the calmer waters of Lake Wörth, southern Austria, where the composer spent happy summers holidaying and working. Opera North’s Principal Guest Conductor Antony Hermus will lead the Orchestra in his first concert in post.

Tickets for the concert are priced from £13.00 - £27.00, just £1 for anyone aged 16 or under, or £4.00 for ages 17 – 29 as part of Opera North’s Under 30s scheme.

For more information visit https://www.operanorth.co.uk/news/training-for-a-world-premiere/