News and Reviews

News: New Year's Eve Spectacular - Tickets Now On Sale!
September 2007

Tickets are now on sale for sinfonia ViVA's popular New Year's Eve Classical Gala at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, (Monday Dec 31) which will transport revellers to the glittering ballrooms of St Petersburg with its toe-tapping Russian Nights theme.

Early booking is advised for this hugely popular concert which sold out last year and bookings before October 26 qualify for a free Rachmaninoff CD. Premium seats are also available which include a free programme and £3 bar voucher on the night. See the concert listing for full details of offers.

The Russian Nights programme, under the baton of "Mr New Year's Eve" and ViVA's Principal Guest Conductor Nicholas Kok, includes music from the Strauss family and some well-loved Russian pieces.

Starting with The Great Gate of Kiev, the finale to Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, the concert also includes one of the best loved of all piano concertos - Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 with soloist Ian Buckle who has performed throughout the world and is particularly well known locally as a regular at the Buxton Festival. Music from three major Russian ballet scores ranges from the passionate drama of Swan Lake and Spartacus to the glittering fairytale world of The Firebird. Alongside the familiar Strauss favourites are some not-so-familiar ones and the Peasant's Polka is the ideal chance for audience participation!

Nicholas Kok commented: "This is one of my favourite concerts of the year and there is always a wonderful atmosphere. Russia has been home to some wonderful music over the centuries from the opulent ballrooms of the Royal Court to the famous ballet scores and promises to send everyone on their way to see out the year on a high note. The players and I look forward to welcoming back those people who rejoin us every year and to meeting some new friends for the first time."

Tickets are on sale now from the Royal Centre Box Office, Tel 0115 989 5555. Prices start from £7 with discounts available for Friends of ViVA.

Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102; 07951 945 665; sarah@jjpublicrealtions.co.uk

Photograph: 'The Kremlin from the Kampinsky', © Michael A Oakes. Image used with kind permission of the artist.

Supported by Orchestras Live and Arts Council England.