Hitchin Symphony Orchestra welcomes renowned violinist Fenella Humphreys as guest soloist for their spring concert at the town’s St Mary’s Church next week.

The Comet: Fenella Humphreys is guest soloist with Hitchin Symphony Orchestra for their May concert at St Mary's ChurchFenella Humphreys is guest soloist with Hitchin Symphony Orchestra for their May concert at St Mary's Church (Image: Archant)

The concert, on Saturday, May 16, begins with Fauré’s beautiful suite of incidental music to Maurice Maeterlinck’s symbolist play Pelléas et Mélisande, about the forbidden and doomed love of its two eponymous characters.

Then Fenella Humphreys, whose recording of Christopher Wright’s violin concerto was released last year to great critical acclaim, will join the orchestra in a performance of Tchaikovsky’s much-loved, but technically challenging, violin concerto.

The final item on the programme will be Saint-Saens’ rarely heard second symphony, an early work, but one which is full of brilliant and memorable ideas coupled with scintillating orchestration.

Conductor Paul Adrian Rooke said: “I am delighted that the orchestra and I will be performing with Fenella Humphreys. I heard her play the Tchaikovsky recently and she gave an outstanding and thrilling performance. She is an exciting young violinist who has performed and broadcast all over the world and is in great demand. I am sure audiences will be spellbound by her interpretation.”

Call 01462 458614 for tickets (£14 adult, £12 concessions with a £2 early booking discount if booked before Wednesday, U16s £3), pop into the Hitchin Initiative office or book via the WeGotTickets.com website.