Concert for theatre funds

Over the past few years the Northumbria Sinfonietta has raised more than £7,000 for the Alnwick Playhouse to help towards running costs, and it has been supported by several members of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, including leader Bradley Creswick.

The forthcoming concert on Saturday, at 7.30pm, sees Martin Hughes join the orchestra to play Mozart’s Violin Concerto in G.

Martin made his Wigmore Hall debut in 1974 to critical acclaim, and has appeared throughout the UK, in Europe and in Japan as a recitalist and concerto player.

He was associate leader of the Northern Sinfonia and section principal for more than 20 years.

Bryan Jackson, conductor and organiser of the Northumbria Sinfonietta, said: “I am always grateful to my friends in the professional music world who have been incredibly supportive of what our orchestra is trying to do for The Playhouse.

“The players too, deserve thanks. They are prepared to come from as far afield as North Yorkshire, Tyneside and the Borders and join with our own local instrumentalists to support the theatre, at their own expense.”

The programme includes the overture Merry Wives of Windsor, Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance and the Hungarian Dances by Brahms.

The North Northumberland Orchestra, now the Northumbria Sinfonietta, was one of the original musical organisations to be invited to be a community group based in The Playhouse by the then manager Steve Cowton.

Tickets for the concert are available from 01665 510785.