 |
Press Releases & Press Packs
|
BBC
National Orchestra of Wales to take centre stage
The
BBC National Orchestra of Wales (NOW) is set to
move to a permanent, dedicated home at the new Wales Millennium
Centre.
Today's
announcement means that BBC NOW will become the second biggest tenant
at the architecturally striking building taking shape in Cardiff
Bay.
The
Orchestra will have a dedicated recording and rehearsal hall capable
of accommodating an audience of 500 and full ancillary facilities
such as offices and rehearsal rooms.
The
Orchestra expects to move into its new home by the end of 2005.
"This
is the news we have been waiting for since 1987, when the Orchestra
was expanded to full symphonic size," said David Murray,
Director BBC NOW.
"For
the first time, the Orchestra and the BBC National Chorus
of Wales will have their own state-of-the-art recording
space and the opportunity to stage studio concerts involving the
full orchestra before an audience.
"We
will still mount a range of concerts at St David's Hall in Cardiff
and other venues throughout Wales and the UK.
"But
this gives us the chance to give people access to the work of Welsh
composers and the less well-known parts of the classical repertoire.
"It
also allows us to expand our education remit, enabling schoolchildren
and other members of the public to come in and work with us.
"There
will be the opportunity to work with other organisations at the
Wales Millennium Centre in joint education and community outreach
projects.
"This
is a very exciting announcement."
Menna
Richards, Controller BBC Wales, said: "This
is an expression of the BBC's confidence in the long-term role of
BBC NOW, the only symphony orchestra in Wales.
"The
new facility will offer great opportunities and allow the Orchestra
to explore new ideas.
"The
design of the BBC NOW auditorium will be adaptable, enabling us
to bring audiences into the heart of a wide variety of musical performances
from BBC Wales."
Sir
David Rowe-Beddoe, Chairman Wales Millennium Centre, said:
"We
are delighted that BBC NOW will join the creative community of the
Wales Millennium Centre and believe it will provide a wonderful
opportunity for the WMC to further develop audiences for the arts,
both now and into the future.
"We
look forward to working with BBC NOW to make their new home a reality."
Notes
to Editors
BBC
National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales website
| 
