The Halle played to almost sell out audiences at the weekend in the Royal Hall at the Villa Marina. The Isle of Man Arts Council were very proud to present Britain’s longest-established permanent, professional symphony orchestra and audiences enjoyed a thrilling programme for both concerts. On Saturday the orchestra was conducted by Sir Mark Elder and performed Bax’s Tintagel, Sibelius Symphony No 1 as well as Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with a stunning performance from acclaimed Violin Soloist Jennifer Pike. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor Adam Wood and the Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community Culture and Leisure, were both in the audience and Young Musician of Mann finalist, Peter Mitchell, made the presentation of a floral bouquet to Jennifer Pike. A matinee concert on Sunday was conducted by Andrew Gourlay comprising Bizet’s Carmen: Suite No 1, Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals (with Narrator Sir Mark Elder), Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet excerpts. Children from Peel Clothworkers School had produced artwork that was projected into the Royal Hall during Carnival of the Animals and was on display in the Villa Marina foyer all weekend. At full strength the Halle had eighty seven musicians on stage producing an awesome sound in the perfect acoustics of the Royal Hall. One of those musicians was Jason Evans, a nineteen year old trumpet player from the Isle of Man. Jason, who is currently studying at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester had been included in the orchestra not only for the Isle of Man performances but also the Halle’s concert as part of the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall immediately prior to their coming to the Isle of Man. In the past Jason has received funding from the Arts Council to attend the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. Hon David Cretney MHK, Minister for Community, Culture and Leisure said: ‘It has been terrific to have such a prestigious orchestra at the Villa Marina. I really enjoyed Saturday’s concert. It is thanks to the Arts Council that we can provide variety in our programming to enable top quality opportunities such as this for the Manx public.’ Quintin Gill MHK, Chairman of the Arts Council said: ‘We have had a really fantastic weekend filled with wonderful music at the Villa Marina. The ticket sales have been the best we’ve had for an orchestra in recent years and feedback from the near capacity audiences has been extremely positive. The Arts Council is very pleased to have been able to provide the opportunity for Manx audiences to enjoy the Halle at their best.’ -Ends-