Star-studded event to mark Giggleswick School’s 500th anniversary (From Craven Herald)
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Star-studded event to mark Giggleswick School’s 500th anniversary
2:11pm Thursday 14th June 2012 in Leisure
Sir Thomas Allen
Legendary lyricist Sir Tim Rice and international baritone Sir Thomas Allen will appear in a live open air concert with the Hallé Orchestra in the grounds of Giggleswick School on Saturday, June 30.
An audience of up to 10,000 people are expected to descend on the village to hear the Hallé Orchestra play in a two-hour concert with a firework finale, all set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The event marks the 500th anniversary of the school and also taking part is former pupil Sarah Fox, now an internationally renowned soprano.
The concert, which starts at 8pm, will include a range of familiar favourites chosen by the artistes themselves. They will include Nessun dorma, The Pearl Fishers’ Duet, Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, The Heavens are Telling, Crown Imperial, music from ET, and songs from Oklahoma, Carousel, West Side Story and Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
The evening will conclude with a firework finale to the 1812 Overture.
The concert will also feature Giggleswick Choral Society, made up of 80 amateur singers, and 60 members of the Giggleswick School Choir.
They have spent six months practising under the watchful eye of Giggleswick School director of music Darren Everhart.
“The choral society has performed in several concerts in recent years, but there is no doubt this will be an experience of a lifetime for everyone involved,” said Mr Everhart.
“The choir has worked really hard and it will be ready to sing with some of the best artists in the world.”
In addition, a choir of 73 children from Giggleswick Junior School will sing music from Sir Tim’s famous collaboration Joseph and his Technicolor Dreamcoat and a new work which combines singing and sign language written by British choral composer Bob Chillcott.
The concert will be directed and conducted by James Burton, who was choral director of the Hallé between 2002 and 2009 and is currently conducting its touring production of Leonard Bernstein’s Wonderful Town.
As a precursor to the concert, the string principals of the Hallé Orchestra, led by Lyn Fletcher, will perform a programme of chamber music in Giggleswick School Chapel tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.
The programme will include Brahm’s Sextets and a short new work by the Hallé’s composer in residence, Helen Grime.
Tickets for both events are available from (01729) 893180 or visit giggleswick.org.uk/rwt
