Saturday 13 September 2008

More Proms Details + Rachel on TV














The Belfast Citylocal site have some more details of the Belfast Proms, which looks like being an impressive event.

Rachel was interviewed on the BBC Newsline TV show earlier this evening, but the BBC being their usual efficient selves, haven't managed to put it on the Newsline site as yet. In fact they're still featuring last Monday's bulletin as 'latest news.' Tsk tsk.

The great news though is that Laura, who helped us out so brilliantly at the Pride event, has just managed to get two tickets for the Belfast Proms tonight. So hopefully she will be able to get us some photos or footage of Rachel's performance. I've been told that Rachel and Niamh will be doing a solo number each, plus a duet.

As a footnote, I finally managed to get through to the BBC Newsline office after being cut off several times by some robot girl who had promised my call was important to them. The real-life girl wasn't much better -- 'we only update the 'latest news' link occasionally.' Er right. Definitely justifying that big fat licence fee then.


Altan headline Belfast Proms in the Park


Internationally acclaimed Irish traditional music group, Altan, will be joined by some of the most accomplished and well known names in classical and operatic music at this year`s BBC Proms in the Park in the grounds of the City Hall on Saturday 13 September.

After a year away from the City Hall, the hugely popular outdoor musical extravaganza is back and promises to be even better than ever with a line-up which includes top Irish soprano, Cara O`Sullivan, 12-year-old trombonist, Peter Moore, winner of this year`s BBC Young Musician of the Year and multi-talented violinist, Jennifer Pike, herself a winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2002.

Also taking to the stage will be Bangor`s Niamh Perry and Belfast-born Rachel Tucker, who shot to fame after making it through to the finals in BBC One`s `I`d Do Anything` series, Andrew Lloyd Webber`s nationwide search for a Nancy to star in the hit musical `Oliver`.

BBC Proms in the Park is now in its seventh year and sees BBC Northern Ireland in partnership with Belfast City Council and event sponsors NS&I, teaming up with the Ulster Orchestra on a grand scale to present a night of popular classics.

BBC Northern Ireland`s Noel Thompson will present the concert joining the Ulster Orchestra under the baton of its principal conductor, Kenneth Montgomery.

Picnic hampers, big screens, lighting displays - it`s all part of a three-hour classical party enjoyed by promenaders from all over Northern Ireland.

Once again, the event is being staged in cities across the United Kingdom as part of the BBC`s `Last Night of the Proms`.

Complimentary tickets for the Belfast event have all been allocated. However, from time to time, tickets are returned to the BBC, or people who have received tickets do not attend the event. On the evening of BBC Proms in the Park Belfast, these tickets will be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis.

Ticket holders will be admitted from 6.30pm and non ticket holders will gain entry after 8pm, if capacity permits.

Alternatively audiences can listen to, or view, BBC Proms in the Park as it will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster and on BBC television (through the red button) from 8pm.

BBC Proms in the Park Belfast will be recorded by Landseer Productions and shown on BBC Northern Ireland television later in the year.

Local promenaders will be able to view sections of the Last Night of the Proms from the Albert Hall throughout the night on giant video screens in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.

Peter Johnston, Controller BBC Northern Ireland, said:

"Proms in the Park is one of the most prestigious large-scale events the BBC undertakes each year. We are really looking forward to returning to the grounds of City Hall after the great success of last year`s event at Carrickfergus.

"Promenaders can be assured of a very special evening of great music from a mix of talented local and international artists all set against the stunning backdrop of Belfast`s City Hall."

Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartley said:

"This is the sixth year that the council and BBC Northern Ireland have worked together to bring `Proms in the Park` into the heart of Belfast. In that time, Proms has become one of the highlights of our events calendar and just gets better every year.

"Belfast City Council remains totally committed to supporting cultural activity in all four corners of the city. Last year, we invested £1.6 million in culture and arts groups, from grassroots level up, not counting the substantial investment we are making, on an ongoing basis, in the continued development of the city`s cultural infrastructure.

"Events such as the Proms are not only good for the people of the city, they are vital in helping promote a positive image of Belfast to a wider audience - and so benefiting the profile of the city as a tourist destination.

"The evening promises a musical feast from one of the world`s greatest orchestras and some of the finest soloists in the field."

For full details of terms and conditions for those attending BBC Proms in the Park Belfast, log on to: www.bbc.co.uk/ni/tickets

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