Wrexham orchestra’s half-century celebration year to begin with concert this weekend

A Wrexham orchestra which is marking its fiftieth year in 2019 is to begin its year of concerts with a special performance in Wrexham Glyndwr University’s William Aston Hall.

The Wrexham Symphony Orchestra has a long history with both the hall and with the university, and the upcoming performance tomorrow (Saturday 23rd February), is the President’s Annual Concert – with the current President being Professor Maria Hinfelaar, the Vice Chancellor of the university.

The concert will see the first collaboration between the WSO and Welsh National Opera, when one of their leading sopranos, Rebecca Afonwy-Jones, will perform Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures. The programme for the evening also features Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Prokofiev’s 5th symphony.

Derek Jones, spokesman for the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra, said: “Rebecca Afonwy-Jones made her orchestral debut with the Orchestra in 2008 and has performed with us on several occasions since.

“Since her debut Rebecca has performed with the Orchestra in 2010 in Beethoven’s 9th symphony – his great choral work – and again in 2012 when the programme featured Mahler’s Symphony No 3 as part of the ground-breaking Mahler Charitable concert series.

“In May 2015, Rebecca joined the Orchestra for their debut concert at the Bridgewater Hall when they performed Mahler’s 2nd symphony – Resurrection- to wide critical acclaim.”

Conductor Leon Bosch will also be appearing on the night. Leon was appointed principal double bass with the acclaimed Academy of St Martin in the Fields, a position he left in 2014 to devote himself to conducting, his solo career, to teaching and to establishing his now thriving chamber ensemble, I Musicanti.

Leon, who is originally from South Africa, is looking forward to working with the Orchestra. He said: “The unique structure of Prokofiev’s 5th Symphony – which has a strong connection to the South African psychology in its hidden melancholy -is part of my soul; it offers something new and enriches our experiences of life.

“I am particularly looking forward to working with Rebecca in a performance of Elgar’s Sea Pictures, which is a uniquely British composition from the era of the First World War.”

Wrexham Glyndwr University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maria Hinfelaar, added: “The Wrexham Symphony Orchestra has been at the heart of our community for five decades, and I’m delighted to be hosting the Presidents’ Annual Concert this weekend in the William Aston Hall.

“This year is a huge milestone for the Orchestra and we’ll be backing them every step of the way.”

The supported charity during the President’s Annual Concert is Llay-based ‘Your Space’ which supports children and young people with the autistic spectrum disorder and offers families a wide range of practical help and support. More information can be found at yourspacemarches.co.uk

Tickets for the concert, ranging from £20 for a family ticket; £12 Balcony; £10 stalls (£8 concessions) and just £2 for students and young people U16, are available from Wrexham Tourist Information Centre in Queens Square, from Llangollen Tourist Information Office, from the Box Office desk in Wrexham Glyndwr University and can also be purchased on line at www.wrexhamorch.co.uk/tickets and through the William Aston Hall events website.