As Aberdeen Performing Arts prepares to reopen the grand doors of the city’s Music Hall after a two-year, £9 million transformation, artists, musicians and performers are lining up to take to the stage.
Among the highlights of the Music Hall’s opening season – which officially starts this Saturday with a special performance featuring Travis frontman Fran Healy – are the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
And there are plenty of offerings for those without a taste for opera music, but with a taste for good food – as the Hairy Bikers will entertain audiences in the newly refurbished Music Hall with an evening of cooking and conversation.
Rock and pop artists taking to the stage include KT Tunstall, who will visit the historic hall on her Body tour following the release of her new album Wax, and Scottish funk and R&B group, Average White Band.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The P&J newsletter
And those in need of a laugh will be able to enjoy stand-up performances from comedians Jason Manford, Nish Kumar, Jimmy Carr and more.
Jane Spiers, the chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts said: “It’s great to be back in business again.
“We are so looking forward to welcoming Aberdeen audiences back to the Music Hall we all love, now restored, renovated and re-imagined.
“In addition to our beautifully upgraded auditorium, we have two new programming spaces to play with, the Big Sky Studio and the Stepping In digital art space.
“It gives us so much more opportunity to raise our game, diversify the programme, expand our audience base and stay competitive.”
Ben Torrie, director of programming at Aberdeen Performing Arts said: “It has been a joy and privilege to put together the programme which kicks off this new chapter in the Music Hall story.
“The opening season covers everything from global classical music stars to a stellar line-up of comedians and almost everything in-between, combining the very best touring work with unique, curated programmes which can only be experienced in the new Music Hall.
“It is hugely exciting to establish new spaces alongside the stunning auditorium in this beautiful building which has remained at the forefront of the city’s cultural identity for almost 200 years.”
For more information on the full season line-up and tickets, visit the box office at HMT, the Music Hall or The Lemon Tree, or aberdeenperformingarts.com.
