The Horns of Opera North accompanied by Martin Pickard are coming to Ripon Cathedral on Monday 8th February in a concert designed to explore the range of horn music – an exciting first collaboration between the Cathedral Concert Society and the outstanding musicians of Opera North.
Horns resounding – the Horns of Opera North Monday 8th Feb in Ripon Cathedral
Bob Ashworth, who has been Principal Horn in the Orchestra of Opera North since its beginning in 1978 explained:
It will be a rare opportunity to hear the horn section of Opera North up close in some wonderful Romantic repertoire in the splendour of Ripon Cathedral and its magnificent acoustic.
Although played on modern instruments, I plan say a few words about the historical development of the horn, some significant horn players and the horn repertoire ahead of our performance of the whole of Wagner’s Ring Cycle in the summer.
In addition to his work with Opera North, Bob Ashworth teaches horn at Leeds University’s School of Music, and is the founder of the Opera North Horn Club, which brings together professional, amateur and student horn players of all ages across Yorkshire. Bob has also established a publishing company www.editiondb.com whose wide-ranging catalogue includes chamber music for horn.
As part of the Cathedral Concert Society’s drive to encourage more young people to hear top quality live music, Bob Ashworth will be holding a special masterclass at Ripon Grammar School for young people learning the horn on Tuesday 2nd February, ahead of the concert.
The Cathedral Concert Society’s Michael Furse, who arranged the masterclass, explained:
One of our key objectives is to enable young people to listen to live music performed by leading national and international artists. Pupils from Ripon Grammar School attend our concerts free of charge on a regular basis and we hope other schools will also take advantage of the scheme.
Tickets costing £15 (£5 for students, and free for those under 18) are available: on line from www.riponconcerts.co.uk; from Alan’s Gallery (19 Kirkgate, Ripon Tel 01765690498); from Harrogate Theatre (www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk ); and on the door
