Opera North at Grand Hall

Orchestra of Opera North is performing at the Grand Hall, Scarborough Spa, on Saturday July 21 as The Ryedale Festival brings classical music to spectacular venues around Ryedale and Scarborough.

Orchestra of Opera North Grand Hall, Scarborough Spa, Saturday July 21 at 7.30pm The Ryedale Festival brings classical music to many spectacular venues in and around Ryedale, North Yorkshire – an area full of history and natural beauty.

The festival enjoys a large, loyal and enthusiastic audience, the warm support of local residents and a reputation as one of the most exciting and enterprising in the country.

The Grand Hall at Scarborough Spa is the easternmost venue of the festival and the perfect setting for Elgar’s Sea Pictures.

The concert also features Beethoven’s Symphony no 5 and Brahms’ Symphony no 4 in E minor.

For its visit to Scarborough Spa, the Orchestra of Opera North will be under the baton of Venetian conductor Renato Balsadonna, making his debut with the orchestra.

Elgar’s Sea Pictures features mezzosoprano soloist Kathryn Rudge, who previously performed this work with the orchestra in Huddersfield. Kathryn said: “The Sea Pictures are an adventure, providing us as onlookers with moments to observe the scene, to hold each other close through all weathers, discover an ethereal calm, reflect upon the mystical qualities of the landscape and to contemplate the power of the crashing waves.

“At times the wonder of the sea is indescribable, but Elgar knew so well how to portray it through music that captures our emotions and imagination; that moment when you look out and see the horizon across a vast expanse of water and it takes your breath away.

“I am really excited to perform these wonderful songs for the Ryedale Festival with the Orchestra of Opera North – for the first time actually by the sea. There could be no better setting for this song cycle than Scarborough Spa with its views of South Bay.