Return of park concert promises to be a classic
DERBY’S famous Hannells Darley Park Concert will return on Sunday, August 29.
Organisers say it promises to be the highlight of a Summer Bank Holiday weekend of outdoor family entertainment.
Kick-starting the weekend off on Friday, August 27, will be Classic Ibiza, a celebration of the sounds of the Balearics for all the family. Then on the Saturday, Darley Park’s natural ampitheatre will become an outdoor cinema for screenings of Frozen 2 and Singalonga The Greatest Showman.
All events will be run in line with guidelines in place for live outdoor entertainment following the pandemic.
Classical music and fireworks will return on the Sunday as this year’s Hannells Darley Park Concert celebrates 300 years of Derby’s Silk Mill – the world’s first factory – as it prepares to reopen as the Museum of Making.
There will also be a special tribute to the NHS and key workers as part of the programme.
The Hannells Darley Park Concert is one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts and one of Derby’s favourite summer events.
Presented by Derby Live, Grammynominated and RPS award-winning orchestra Sinfonia Viva, supported by Rolls-Royce, will perform innovative and historically important music inspired by the theme of engineering, science and technology, ending with a spectacular firework finale.
Marianne Barraclough, deputy chief executive, said: “Sinfonia Viva are very excited to be returning to Darley Park for another show-stopping year at this celebrated event.
“We will be performing well-known classics, beautiful stirring numbers and quirky pieces that might take you by surprise – 2021’s theme is built around the exciting reopening of Derby Silk Mill and the celebration of Derby’s 300-year history of technological innovation.
“Expect fireworks both musical and literal this year, as the orchestra returns in inspired form.”
Conductor James Holmes, a Darley Park Concert regular, will make a welcome return to the stage, proving why he has been so instrumental in making this evening of stirring music one of the most anticipated events in the East Midlands calendar.
After a successful collaboration over the last two years the concert has once again joined forces with BBC Radio Derby. This year some of Derby’s favourite radio presenters will be taking to the stage to host the concert.
Councillor Robin Wood, Derby City Council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said: “This year’s Hannells Darley Park Concert promises to be an awe-inspiring celebration of the 300th anniversary of the world’s first factory, right here in Derby.
“I look forward to music to celebrate the city’s industrial heritage and spark the imagination in the way the Silk Mill did so many years ago.
“It’s fantastic we have been able to make it bigger and better than ever before with the Classic Ibiza event on the Friday, Outdoor Cinema on Saturday followed by the Hannells Darley Park Concert on the Sunday. It’s a real weekend of cultural activities making the bank holiday celebrations better than ever.”
The concert is supported by local businesses Hannells, a family-run, award-winning estate agent; UK top 200 law firm Flint Bishop Solicitors; HUUB, specialists in performance wetsuits and apparel as worn by Olympic medallists; Stratstone BMW and MINI, Derby, part of the UK’s leading luxury automotive retailer; and WDS, suppliers of managed print services and document management solutions to businesses for 16 years.
Tickets are on sale now for £4 for adults and £1 for under-16s when you book before July 31. After this, tickets will cost £6 for adults and £3.50 for under 16s when booked in advance. On the day, tickets cost from £8.50 for adults and £3.50 for under 16s. So a family of two adults and two children under 16 can make huge savings by booking early. For details, visit derbylive.co.uk.