Celebrating the classical with the Ulster Orchestra

‘Celebrating the classical’ is the motto ahead of the Ulster Orchestra’s latest appearance at the Alley Theatre in Strabane next month.

Due to grace the local stage on Thursday, January 27, the North’s only professional symphony orchestra has a trio of classic performances planned, from the little-known to the cherished and beloved.

“The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to return to the Alley Theatre with a charming concert featuring principal flute, Jennifer Sturgeon,” a spokesperson for the group explained. “To open, a sinfonia by an underrated 18th Century composer, Marianna Martines. Lauded throughout Europe in her lifetime, this poised and elegant work is just part of a musical legacy that has been sorely neglected over the years.

“Martines was a celebrated musical hostess as well as a composer and amongst the regular attendees at her soirées was one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His concerto for flute and harp was written whilst he was teaching harpist Marie-Louise-Philippine Bonnières. The slow movement’s gorgeous, rippling melody is a musical gem within this lovely concerto.”

Following Martines’s Sinfonia in C Major, the Ulster Orchestra will then turn their talents towards Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp in C Major and Beethoven’s Symphony Number 2.

The spokesperson continued, “Mozart’s Prague Symphony is a strong influence on Beethoven’s Second Symphony which, despite Beethoven’s deepening personal trauma as his hearing deteriorated, is brim-full of high spirits and energy, drawing this concert to a virtuosic close.”

Founded in 1966, the Ulster Orchestra has been at the forefront of musical life in Northern Ireland. With a mission to enrich the lives of people living locally, those visiting, and those who encounter it through international touring and regular radio and TV broadcasts with both BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Radio 3, the Orchestra strives for excellence in all it undertakes.

In 2019, the Ulster Orchestra appointed Daniele Rustioni as its chief conductor, a role which commenced at the start of the Orchestra’s 2019/20 Season.

Rustioni joins a distinguished line of past principal conductors including Bryden Thomson, Vernon Handley, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Dimitry Sitkovetsky, Thierry Fischer, Kenneth Montgomery, JoAnn Faletta and, most recently, Rafael Payare.

Starting at 7.30pm on Thursday January 27, tickets are available for from www.alley-theatre.com or by contacting the box office on 02871 384444.