Scotland’s national orchestra performs to arriving athletes before inaugural European Championships
Glasgow Airport will host the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) in addition to passengers on Tuesday 31 July when the musicians will perform to visitors arriving for the inaugural European Championships, which begins in Glasgow on Thursday 2 August.
Glasgow and Berlin simultaneously host the inaugural European Championships — a new multi-sport event over 11 days bringing together some of the continent’s leading athletes for Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing, Triathlon and Golf. Glasgow 2018 will also see hundreds of cultural events across the city, including performances by the RSNO on Thursday 2 August, and electronic duo Orbital on Friday 10 August.
The programme, conducted by former RSNO Associate Conductor Jean-Claude Picard, begins with a hearty local greeting, Sir Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances, followed by the building drama of Greig’s In the Hall on the Mountain King, Johann Strauss’ celebratory Radetzky March and Galop from Rossini’s William Tell Overture, famously used as the theme tune for The Lone Ranger.
The second of the two performances also offers passengers the opportunity to conduct Scotland’s national orchestra, with the best conductor – as voted by the musicians – winning a prize, gifted by Glasgow Airport.
The event coincides with the start of Glasgow Airport’s Best of Scotland campaign, which runs for the month of August and promotes the country’s finest food, drink, clothing and culture.
RSNO Director of Artistic Planning and Engagement Bill Chandler: “We love performing at Glasgow Airport, principally because passengers and staff don’t expect us to be there. We connect with those who perhaps haven’t experienced a live symphony orchestra before and the reactions we’ve been met with in the past have brought smiles to our faces. I’d like to think that those who are visiting the city for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships will be similarly happy to see us.”
Steven Marshall, Head of Airline Marketing and Development at Glasgow Airport: “The Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s annual performance is one of the highlights of the year for both the terminal team and, of course, our passengers. A performance from the country’s national orchestra is the perfect way to welcome competitors and friends to Scotland for this high-profile sporting event, which, in turn, opens what promises to be a fantastic Best of Scotland campaign.”
For more information on RSNO concerts and events, visit www.rsno.org.uk.