Orchestra in tune to City of Culture bid

The deal will see the world-famous orchestra playing concerts in the city and working with local groups on music projects.

It will also take up an exclusive residency at Hull City Hall.

Coun Terry Geraghty, city council portfolio holder for culture, called the partnership the “icing on the cake” for Hull’s bid.

The deal will cost £120,000 but the council hopes to recoup this through ticket sales and sponsorship.

Hull is competing against Dundee, Leicester, and Swansea Bay, to become the culture capital in 2017 and now has less than a week to submit its final bid, with the winner expected to be announced in November.

The council would part-fund a massive programme of 1,500 events, including 25 festivals and 12 artist residencies if successful, and about £13m of investment has already been pledged to support this.

“The announcement comes at a great time when we are counting down to our bid submission,” Coun Geraghty added.