Portaferry to host renowned guitarist

Portaferry to host renowned guitarist

9 May 2012

ONE of the world’s greatest classical artists will give a recital in Portaferry next weekend as part of this year’s Portaferry Proms.

Craig Ogden, originally from Australia, had number one hits in the UK Classical Chart with his Classic FM albums The Guitarist and Summertime, and regularly performs alongside major orchestras around the world.

Considered one of the most exciting performers of his generation, in 2004 he became

the youngest instrumentalist to receive a Fellowship Award from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, where he is now Principal Lecturer in Guitar. In addition, he is a Visiting Lecturer at the London Royal College of Music.

During Saturday’s performance in Portaferry Presbyterian Church, Craig will be accompanied by acclaimed organist Richard Campbell.

The programme will include many well known favourites and some not so well known pieces, including Praeludium VI from Book one of the Well-Tempered Clavier by Bach, Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto in D and Saint Seans’ Benediction Nuptiale.

After the concert there will be a reception in the ballroom at Ballywhite House. Transport from the concert to the reception will be by coach returning to Portaferry at 10.45pm in time to catch the last ferry at 11.15pm.

This year’s Proms series is sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and organised by Friends of Portaferry Presbyterian Church (fPPC) — the charity dedicated to the restoration and rejuvenation of this building,

Ian McDonnell, chairman of fPPC, said they had established a reputation for bringing musicians of the highest calibre to perform in Portaferry.

“Craig is no exception and has an impeccable international pedigree,” he said. “In addition, Richard Campbell is very well known to Portaferry audiences as an outstanding organist; what a terrific combination and what a wonderful evening of music we have ahead of us.

“We are also very honoured that our post-concert reception will be held, for the first time, in the ballroom at Ballywhite House. Great music, great food, wonderful wines, great company, great venues and terrific craic— the hallmarks of an evening with fPPC.”            

Further information is available on the website: www.friendsppc.org.

Tickets may be obtained on www.friendsppc.org or from Ann Wilson on 028 4272 8377 or Louise Ruffle on 077 6380 8414.