Conductor Thomas Zehetmair to appear at Glasshouse and Middlesbrough

The conductor laureate of the Royal Northern Sinfonia and its former music director, will present a lead a programme of music by Jean Sibelius and Mendelssohn at The Glasshouse in Gateshead on Friday (April 24).

The concert, is part of a pair of performances celebrating Zehetmair’s long-standing partnership with the orchestra.

The programme includes Sibelius’ much-loved tone poem Finlandia, his Symphony No. 2, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in D minor, composed when Mendelssohn was just 13 years old.

Mr Zehetmair said: “What a pleasure to return to my beloved North East.

“Two hugely popular and musically as well as historically important symphonic pieces frame a seldomly played jewel of a concerto.

“I look forward to performing this special programme and to meeting my friends again.”

He will take on the dual role of conductor and soloist, performing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto from the violin.

The concert will conclude with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, known for its triumphant finale.

Another performance will take place at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday, April 26, at 3pm.

Tickets for the Gateshead and the Middlesbrough concert are available through The Glasshouse website.