´óÏó´«Ã½

Renowned tenor Russell Watson appears alongside a host of other well-known names in classical and contemporary music at this year's ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms in the Park event, in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle on Saturday, on Saturday 11 September, as part of the world-famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations.

For the second year, the hugely popular outdoor musical extravaganza will be taking place in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle and 2010 promises to be even better than ever with a line-up including world renowned conductor/composer Carl Davis; Northern Ireland's very own Duke Special; Russian-born violinist Alexandra Soumm; flautist Brian Finnegan; and dancers Irish Beats.

Proms in the Park Northern Ireland is now in its ninth year and, with support from Lisburn City Council, teams up once again with the Ulster Orchestra on a grand scale to present a night of popular classics.

The event is part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s prestigious Last Night of the Proms celebrations as once again England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales host ambitious live events to mark the end of the world's largest classical music festival.

The concert will be presented by Noel Thompson and Claire McCollum, joining the Ulster Orchestra under the baton of acclaimed conductor, Carl Davis.

Picnics, lighting displays and a big screen are all part of a three-hour music extravaganza to be enjoyed by enthusiasts from all over Northern Ireland.

Complimentary tickets for the Hillsborough event which were issued through a random draw have all been allocated.

For those with tickets for the event, a free park and ride system will be in operation from the following locations: Marks and Spencer Sprucefield and B&Q Sprucefield, starting from 4pm and running throughout the evening.

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

Alternatively, audiences can listen to, or view, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms in the Park as it will be broadcast live on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Ulster, from 7.30pm, introduced by John Toal.

Satellite and cable viewers can press the red button to watch all ´óÏó´«Ã½ Proms in the Park concerts across the country. This facility will not be available to viewers with Freeview and Freesat. The Hillsborough concert will be available to view from Sunday 12 September for seven days on ´óÏó´«Ã½ iPlayer.

Proms in the Park from the grounds of Hillsborough Castle will be recorded and shown on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Northern Ireland television later in the year.

Concert goers will be able to view sections of the Last Night of the Proms from London's 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 and we are really looking forward to bringing it back again to the grounds of Hillsborough Castle.

"Promenaders can be assured of a very special evening of great music from a mix of talented local and international artists from Duke Special to Russell Watson; Moscow-born violinist Alexandra Soumm; world renowned conductor Carl Davis, flautist Brian Finnegan and dancers Irish Beats, all set against the stunning backdrop of the castle and gardens."

The Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman Paul Porter, said: "Lisburn City Council is delighted to have come onboard once again to support Proms in the Park on Saturday 11 September and are delighted this open air musical extravaganza is returning to the magnificent grounds of Hillsborough Castle in the City of Lisburn.

"This is a splendid opportunity for both seasoned enthusiasts and those who are attending the proms for the first time to be enthralled by world class performers in the arts of music, song and dance.

"I encourage everyone to bring their picnics, chairs or rugs and enjoy what I know will be a very special evening in Hillsborough."

CC