Waffled Cololosseum Announces 2016 Season with Nigel Kennedy

For the first time ever Watford Colosseum, the home of the BBC Concert Orchestra, is delighted to announce a series of thrilling World-Class classical concerts for 2016. Globally-renowned artists including the incomparable Nigel Kennedy, the critically-acclaimed guitarist Miloš Karadagli? with the English Chamber Orchestra, conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy with the Philharmonia Orchestra, the International Tchaikovsky Orchestra and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra are all confirmed for dates at the venue this year.

Watford Colosseum's spectacular World-Class Concert Season 2016 will commence with the Philharmonia Orchestra on 5 March, led by the conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy. Violinist Esther Yoo, a rising bright star, will perform Tchaikovsky's awe-inspiring Violin Concerto with this incredible orchestra. This concert performance will celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Sibelius, with live performances of the unofficial national anthem of Finland alongside his stirring Symphony No. 2.

On 19 April the legendary Nigel Kennedy will be performing a stunning transformation of Vivaldi's The Four Season's alongside his own eclectic The English Collection, following his dazzling collaborations with the Oxford Philharmonic in 2015.

The first International Orchestra to visit the Watford Colosseum for many years will be the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra on 18 October, starring one of the UK's most distinguished violinists, Jennifer Pike, performing the composer's virtuosic Violin Concerto. This will be followed by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra on the 8 November under their distinguished Music Director Libor Pesek, with a performance of Dvorak's much loved New World Symphony and the outstanding cellist Natalie Clein performing Dvorak' epic Cello Concert.

The final concert on the 13 December will be a special gala evening starring the highly-praised guitarist Miloš Karadagli? performing a concert with the English Chamber Orchestra. Featuring an extraordinary range of music, from J.S.Bach to works by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, this gala evening will follow the worldwide release of Milos' recording Blackbird: The Beatles Album this month.

Apart from being the current home to the BBC Concert Orchestra, Watford Colosseum is world-renowned for its' acoustic qualities and was selected as the venue to record the soundtracks for the mega-hit films, The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. Musician Julian Lloyd-Webber described Watford Colosseum as "the finest recording venue in the world". The Watford Colosseum has also been the host venue to some legendary recording artists and performers, including Paul Weller, Elton John, Genesis and global pop phenomenon One Direction.

Star of the final gala concert, guitarist, Miloš Karadagli says, "I'm delighted to be taking part in the first Watford Colosseum international orchestral series. I know the hall has one of the finest acoustics in the UK and to take part in a series that features such outstanding artists as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Nigel Kennedy, Jennifer Pike and Natalie Clein will be a great pleasure for me. I look forward to meeting you all when I come to Watford with my Bach to Beatles project, which is scheduled for 13 December 2016."

IMG Artists Head of UK Touring for some of the world's greatest orchestras, artists and ensembles Andrew Jamieson, says, "In the 1970s and 1980s Watford Town Hall was regarded as one of the great concert halls in the UK with one of the finest acoustics in the country. These marvellous features have been further developed by the emergence of the Watford Colosseum as an outstanding venue. We at IMG are therefore delighted to be involved in presenting the first major concert series in Watford for many years. We're extraordinarily lucky to have the services of 5 following celebrated, world-class musicians:, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Nigel Kennedy, Miloš Karadagli?, Jennifer Pike and Natalie Clein. All these artists have renowned international reputations and this series of concerts will undoubtedly be something that all music lovers in the region should come and enjoy."

The Theatre Director at Watford Colosseum, David Mansfield, says, "The artists performing in our inaugural series are truly world-class. The Watford Colosseum has a superb reputation as a recording venue and these exceptional performances will really re-establish us as a centre of excellence for music concerts outside of Central London. The venue is renowned for its impressive level of hospitality and I would really encourage people who haven't yet visited the Colosseum to take this opportunity to experience these tremendous events. Book now as demand for tickets will undoubtedly be high!"

Tickets for the Watford Colosseums's World-Class Concert Season are now on sale.

To post a comment, you must register and login.