Formed just two years ago, Ilkley Philharmonic Orchestra has made a real impression on the musical life of the town, receiving excellent reviews in the local press and enthusiastic support from the concert going public.
Founder conductor, John Anderson, said: "We have planned four really exciting concerts for our 2025/2026 concert season. In November, the orchestra will be joined by the outstanding young baritone singer, Andrew Randall, to perform the very best music from the world of opera, including Bizet's Suite from Carmen and works by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Korngold and Rodgers and Hammerstein.
"Our New Year's concert was a huge success last year and will now become an annual event. In January, the orchestra welcomes back the extremely talented young dancers from the Academy of Northern Ballet, who will be performing excerpts from Tchaikovsky's dramatic ballet Swan Lake, plus a few surprises! Tenor, Cameron Mitchell, from Opera North, will sing popular arias including Nessun Dorma from Puccini's opera Turandot and Lehar's 'You are my hearts delight'.
"Virtuoso violinist, Andy Long, returns by popular demand for our concert in March, when he will perform Mozart's Violin Concerto no. 5 in A major "The Turkish". Audiences will also have the rare opportunity to hear Rimsky Korsakov's Symphony No. 3 in C - a real gem, with beautiful melodies and exciting rhythms. Rimsky Korsakov was a master of orchestration and this is demonstrated to the full in this beautifully crafted and colourful work, which deserves to be heard more frequently!
"Our concert in June features works from the realm of Folklore and Fairytales, including Humperdinck's overture to his opera Hansel and Gretel, Ravel's Mother Goose Suite and Tchaikovsky's famous Sleeping Beauty Suite."
The November concert takes place on Sunday, November 2 at All Saints' Parish Church, Ilkley at 3.30pm.
The New Year Concert takes place on Saturday, January 10, 2026 at the King's Hall, Ilkley, at 7.30pm.
Turkish Delight is at All Saints' Parish Church, Ilkley, on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 3.30pm.
Folklore and Fairytales takes place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at All Saints' Parish Church, Ilkley, at 3.30pm.
Tickets are now on sale online at Eventbrite.com, or on the door until sold out. Visit www.ilkleyphil.org for more information.