Arts Diary: Will Marriott

When Benjamin Till began composing a new Symphony for Yorkshire, he knew he didn't want the music just to be confined to traditional concert halls.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jul 2010, 14:55 BST
Updated 16th Jul 2010, 14:55 BST

True to his word, with the piece completed, Till decided the best place for one the first rehearsals would be Pickering Station. Musicians, pictured left to right, Jenny Holloway, Emily Taylor, Rachel Wilkinson and Eleanor Walker, kindly obliged and for those who missed the impromptu performance, don't worry. Till and his troupe may well pop up in other picturesque locations as he's currently putting together a video for the symphony.

There will be a strong Yorkshire presence at the 17th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton this summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Fed up at the neglect of their favourite comic operas, Halifax based father and son, Ian and Neil Smith founded the Festival seventeen years ago and the three-week run continues to go from strength to strength.

This summer 28 full-scale productions and over 70 fringe events will be staged in the magnificent Buxton Opera House in Derbyshire July 31-August 21. The Smiths have just returned from Gettysburg, where they launched a first USA leg of the Festival. It was rapturously received by the Americans and Festival Chairman, Ian Smith, is delighted.

Smith said: "We had a fantastic reception and a wonderful time. We flew out our resident orchestra who have played for the Festival for 17 years – The National Festival Orchestra – led by Sally Robinson from Wilsden near Bingley, and Derby G&S Company came along and performed to a standing ovation. The Festival runs for three weeks, July 31 – August 21 and offers 28 full-scale productions in the Opera House and over 70 morning, afternoon and evening fringe events. Details on www.gs-festival.co.uk

Museums Sheffield has seen a new addition to its ranks this summer. Resplendent in glittering jewels and images of exotic foods, Rita the cow is a dazzling, life-size creation made by students from Abbeydale Grange and High Storrs Schools working with Museums Sheffield as a celebration of the city's multiculturalism.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Currently out and about visiting community festivals across the city, Rita has already made friends in high places, bumping into Lord Mayor Alan Law and Lady Mayoress Nicola Aston at last weekend's Devonshire Green celebrations.

Related topics:YorkshireMusicians