´óÏó´«Ã½

Thousands of people are expected to enjoy a magical evening of music in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle tomorrow night at this year's ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms In The Park.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms In The Park Northern Ireland is in its eighth year and all tickets for the free event on Saturday 12 September 2009 have been allocated.

This is part of the world-famous Last Night Of The Proms celebrations happening throughout the UK.

The now annual musical extravaganza is supported by NS&I (National Savings & Investments) and Lisburn City Council, teaming up with the Ulster Orchestra on a grand scale to present a night of popular classics.

The entire event is hosted by ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland's Noel Thompson.

It will feature performances from world-renowned musicians and singers including Belfast-born world-famous flautist Sir James Galway and his wife, Lady Jeanne, also an internationally-acclaimed flautist; Newtownards-born soprano Rebekah Coffey; the Ulster Orchestra, under the baton of Wayne Marshall; singer Peter Corry and the 1st Old Boys Silver Band from Belfast.

Promenaders at the event and listeners tuned in on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster can expect to enjoy an evening of everything from Sousa and Bernstein to traditional Irish airs, Gershwin, Haydn and Mozart, as well as music from Henry Mancini.

For those with tickets for the event, a free park-and-ride system will be in operation from the following locations: Lagan Valley Leisureplex from 4.30pm; Marks and Spencer Sprucefield and B&Q Sprucefield from 5.30pm.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms bus stops will be clearly signposted and staff will be available to answer queries at each of the locations. ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms traffic arriving at Hillsborough will be redirected to the above locations by the PSNI.

Alternatively, audiences can listen to, or view, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms In The Park as it will be broadcast live on Radio Ulster from 7.30pm in the company of Marie-Louise Muir, with highlights from Belfast and Glasgow shown on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Four.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms In The Park in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle will be recorded for television by Landseer Productions to be shown later in the year.

Local promenaders will be able to view sections of the Last Night Of The Proms from the Royal Albert Hall throughout the night on a giant video screen in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle.

Peter Johnston, Director, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland, said: "Proms In The Park is one of the most prestigious large-scale events the ´óÏó´«Ã½ undertakes each year. We are really looking forward to bringing it for the first time to the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and it is particularly appropriate as Lisburn celebrates its 400th anniversary this year.

"Promenaders can be assured of a very special evening of great music from a mix of talented local and international artists from Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway to West End star Peter Corry, Newtownards-born soprano Rebekah Coffey and the award-winning 1st Old Boys Silver Band all set against the stunning backdrop of the castle."

The Mayor of Lisburn City Council, Councillor Allan Ewart, said: "There is a stunning line-up of musical artists for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ event at Hillsborough and we are delighted with the range of artists at the event, in Lisburn's 400th year. I am delighted that Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway will be on stage, and we are very fortunate that Sir James, who has played in world-famous orchestras, who has composed, conducted and played for millions of people during his career and who is an ambassador for the music industry, will be in the City of Lisburn performing at the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Proms In The Park event.

"Peter Corry's voice is legendary and he, too, has performed all over the world, from West End productions to his worldwide sell-out tours. I am delighted Peter will be performing, I am also looking forward to hearing Northern Ireland-born soprano, opera singer Rebekah Coffey's famous voice and the 1st Old Boys Silver Band will prove very popular also. It is a fantastic line-up to for a fantastic evening and I would like to offer my thanks to the artists who will provide the Proms experience."

For full details of terms and conditions for those attending ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms In The Park in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle go to bbc.co.uk/ni/tickets.

Notes to Editors

Stills pictures from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms in the Park will be issued on behalf of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland via William Cherry (Presseye) today (Friday) and over the weekend.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland Press Office