The Ulster Orchestra is set to dazzle with an array of captivating performances, showcasing both classical masterpieces and contemporary compositions. From the nostalgic echoes of the BBC Radio 3 Invitation Concert to the lively Belfast TradFest, and the serene summer evenings at Seamus Heaney HomePlace, each event promises a unique auditory journey. Experience a harmonious blend of orchestra, choir, and chamber music that transcends time and genre, bringing together artists and audiences in a celebration of musical excellence.

A Symphony of Events: Celebrating Music with the Ulster Orchestra

Michael Seal

Ulster Orchestra

Join BBC Radio 3 for a FREE lunchtime invitation concert with the Ulster Orchestra, shining a spotlight on 20th century English composers on 22 May 2025 at Belfast's Ulster Hall.

The programme opens with a short overture by John Foulds, who was born in Manchester in 1880 – the son of a bassoonist in the Hallé Orchestra. A skilled and adventurous composer, his music largely fell out of favour after his death in 1939. However, it enjoyed a revival in the 1980s, leading to a performance of his Three Mantras at the BBC Proms in 1998. His Overture to Le Carbaret was composed in 1921 for a play about the 19th century French mime artiste, Jean-Gaspard Deburau. Foulds reworked it in 1934 and it’s light-hearted style, full of verve and swagger, is a hit with audiences.

Shifting the Dial – BBC Radio 3 Invitation Concert

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