CHESTER Philharmonic Orchestra will stage its final concert of the 2023/2024 season with a performance celebrating Viennese, Czech and Hungarian composers titled ‘A Postcard from the Danube’.
Taking place at Chester Cathedral on Saturday, June 29 at 7.30pm the event will feature works by composers Johann Strauss II, Bela Bartok and Antonin Dvorak, including the famous ‘Blue Danube’ by Strauss.
The orchestra will be conducted by Stephen Threlfall and they will be joined by special guest soloist, Viola virtuoso Duncan Anderson.
The Orchestra will also perform the overture to one of the most celebrated operettas of all time ‘Die Fledermaus’, also by Strauss, and one of Dvorak’s most popular works ‘Symphony No.8 in G Major’.
Born in Chester and raised in Runcorn, guest soloist Duncan Anderson is co-principal viola in the English National Opera Orchestra in London. Since joining in 2020, he has enjoyed giving over 200 performances of opera, ballet, and music theatre with them, with wide-ranging repertoire including works by Mozart, Verdi, Britten, Wagner, Puccini, and Philip Glass.
Renown conductor Stephen Threlfall has a wealth of experience directing orchestras and ensembles, receiving praise from the likes of Nina Bernstein, daughter of legendary conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, who said: “Stephen Threlfall reminded me so much of my father as he moulded their performances, always leading with love, never fear.”
Speaking about the special season finale concert, Diana Anderson the Chair of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra said: “We are delighted to be staging our 2023/24 concert season finale in the glorious surroundings of Chester Cathedral as we take our audience on a trip along the River Danube which has become so famously associated with the music of Strauss.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back soloist Duncan Anderson to perform Bartok's Viola Concerto and also, to performing Dvorak's Symphony No.8 and the overture to the famous Strauss Operetta ‘Die Fledermaus’.
“This concert promises to be a highlight of the Chester concert season and one not to be missed.”
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