The biggest event in the Isle of Man Arts Council’s programme this year will be bringing the world renowned Halle Orchestra to the Villa Marina in Douglas over the weekend 23-24 July. Saturday's programme, starting at 7.30pm in the Royal Hall on 23 July, will see the orchestra perform the symphonic poem Tintagel by Arnold Bax, Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor and Sibelius' Symphony No 1 in E Minor. The Royal Hall will also be the setting on Sunday 24 July for a family friendly concert, starting at 2pm. The orchestra will play Bizet's Carmen (Suite No 1), Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals with poems by Ogden Nash, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite and excerpts from Romeo and Juliet by Prokofiev. Founded in Manchester by the pianist and conductor Charles Halle in 1858, Britain’s longest-established permanent professional symphony orchestra gave its first concert in the city’s Free Trade Hall on 30 January of that year. Following the death of Sir Charles Halle, the orchestra continued to develop under the guidance of such distinguished figures as Hans Richter, Sir Hamilton Harty and Sir John Barbirolli. Sir Mark Elder, who was knighted for services to music in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2008, became Music Director in 2000. He takes the role of Narrator for the Carnival of the Animals during Sunday’s family friendly concert and will be the conductor at Saturday’s concert with Jennifer Pike solo violinist. In 2002, at the age of 12 Jennifer Pike became the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and she has since been honoured with The South Bank Show/The Times Breakthrough Award. She was also presented with the first international London Music Masters award in October 2009 in the Wigmore Hall and was recently named as a BBC New Generation Artist for 2008-2010. Quintin Gill MHK, Chairman of the Arts Council, said: 'These concerts by the Halle Orchestra are the biggest event in the Arts Council’s programme this year. They are performing a programme to interest lovers of classical music on the Saturday evening while also having a daytime concert that is the perfect introduction to classical music for children. There is something very special about hearing a full symphony orchestra perform in the Villa's Royal Hall and I hope people will make the most of this opportunity.' Ticket prices start at ?16, concessions and family ticket deal available – family tickets cost ?45 for two adults and two children. Call the ticket hotline on 600555, visit www.villagaiety.com or the Welcome Centre. In 1996 the Halle moved to its current home, The Bridgewater Hall, where it performs more than 70 concerts a year. Making over 40 appearances annually throughout the rest of Britain, the Halle attracts large and enthusiastic audiences both in Manchester and beyond. Its reputation for artistic excellence and versatility has led to many international tours as well as frequent broadcasts and televised performances. For further information please contact the Isle of Man Arts Council on 694598, or email iomartscouncil@dtl.gov.im alternatively, visit www.iomarts.com -Ends-