International soprano comes home for show

International opera star Jane Irwin will be performing a homecoming concert alongside the Blackpool Symphony Orchestra.
Soprano Jane IrwinSoprano Jane Irwin
Soprano Jane Irwin

Jane has graced the stages of opera houses and concert halls across the world as a solo soprano from the Royal Opera House to Carnegie Hall. She regularly works with the greatest conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Marin Alsop among others.

At the concert, which takes place this Saturday at St. Andrew’s Church, Rough Lea Road, Thornton, Jane will be singing Samuel Barber’s ‘Knoxville: Summer of 1915’.

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The orchestra will also showcase their talent in a performance of Glinka’s rousing ‘Ruslan and Ludmilla’ overture, Britten’s suite for orchestra ‘Matinees Musicales’ and will conclude the evening with Glasunov’s tuneful and exciting second symphony.

Jane last joined the Blackpool Symphony Orchestra to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year at a Proms concert back in 2012 and wowed the audience. She said: “It is always special to sing in your hometown so I’m delighted to be singing with Blackpool Symphony again.

“I’m particularly pleased to be singing the Barber which is truly beautiful. It is great to have the opportunity to share such moving music with the audience.”

Helen Harrison, Blackpool Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director and Conductor added: “The orchestra has been working extremely hard preparing the Barber for the concert. It’s a privilege for the orchestra to work with an artist of Jane’s international calibre. We have also enjoyed rehearsing the other works for the concert. In particular, it has been great fun for all the orchestra to explore Glazunov’s Second Symphony together which should be played far more often than it is; gorgeous melodies, lots of passion and energy! It’s going to fizz!”

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Sue Sargent, the orchestra’s Chairman said: “We were delighted when Jane offered to come and sing with us.

“Our audience and orchestra enjoyed an exciting concert with Jane back in 2012 and we know this one will be very special too.”

Tickets are available online for a discount price of £9. To book, visit www.blackpoolsymphony.co.uk. Alternatively you can buy tickets for £10 on the door.