ORCHESTRA TO STAGE SPECIAL CONCERT AS PART OF WREXHAM'S 'YEAR OF WONDER' FESTIVAL

Final rehearsals are underway as a Wrexham-based symphony orchestra prepares to stage a celebratory concert as part of Wrexham's 'Year Of Wonder' Festival.

The special concert, - 'Wonder', staged by Wrexham Symphony Orchestra will take place at William Aston Hall on Sunday 3^rd May at 2.30pm. 

The dynamic programme of music includes Rossini's overture to 'The Thieving Magpie', Manuel De Falla's 'Suite 2 from The Three-Cornered Hat', Johannes Brahms' 'Symphony No.1' and the exhilarating 'Danse Macabre' by Camille Saint Saëns. Wrexham Symphony Orchestra will be joined for the concert by acclaimed conductor Richard Howarth.

Celebrating 150 years since Wrexham’s Year of Wonder (1876), when the town hosted a Grand Exhibition of arts and culture from across the world, The Year of Wonder brings together more than thirty Wrexham linked organisations to showcase the city’s arts, culture, industry, and heritage throughout 2026. Under the guidance of the Wrexham Carnival of Words, the programme unites a diverse range of events that honour the past while looking confidently to the future.

Music played a significant role in the original 1876 Art Treasures Exhibition, and it is very much at the heart of the 2026 celebrations.

Speaking about the concert, Matthew Ellis, the Chairman of Wrexham Symphony Orchestra said:

"Wrexham Symphony Orchestra is delighted to present its next concert as part of Wrexham’s Year of Wonder, the city’s year long celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the remarkable events of 1876. We are proud to contribute to this cultural tapestry, joining choirs, festivals, and creative groups across the city. This milestone year saw the formation of the Football Association of Wales, the opening of Ruabon Road Cemetery, the first National Eisteddfod held in the town, and the great Art Treasures and Industrial Exhibition, all of which helped shape Wrexham’s cultural identity."

Matthew added:

"As part of this vibrant programme of events, our concert offers audiences an opportunity to experience orchestral music at the heart of Wrexham’s commemorative festivities.  We have put together an exciting mix of favourite pieces from the classical repertoire including Rossini's overture to 'The Thieving Magpie' which listeners may recognise from its frequent use in film and television, most famously in Stanley Kubrick's film “A Clockwork Orange”. Other highlights include the exhilarating 'Danse Macabre' by Saint Saëns and Brahms' Symphony No.1. It promises to be an event that reflects both the city’s rich heritage and its ongoing commitment to artistic excellence."

Joining Wrexham Symphony Orchestra for this special concert, Conductor Richard Howarth has collaborated with the ensemble on numerous occasions over many years. Among his most memorable appearances was his 2018 direction of Holst’s The Planets, a performance warmly received for its clarity, drive and expressive breadth. His ability to draw vivid colour and precision from the orchestra has made him a valued artistic partner, and his return for 'Wonder' continues a relationship that has significantly shaped the orchestra’s musical development.

Richard is a highly respected British conductor and violinist whose career spans more than three decades, during which he has led and directed ensembles across the United Kingdom and internationally. His work has included prominent roles with the Manchester Camerata, the Ulster Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra."

Full details of 'Wonder', Wrexham Symphony Orchestra's special concert as part of Wrexham's "Year of Wonder" Festival can be found at: 

www.wrexhamorch.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.