Partnership aidsorchestra’s stay

Julian Rachlin, conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

A partnership between the University of Derby and Buxton Opera House made the town a temporary home to a world-class orchestra and put the spotlight on the ever-increasing role of culture in the local economy.

Sponsorship by the university enabled the Opera House to host a residency of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the oldest surviving professional orchestra in the UK who are celebrating their 175th anniversary this year.

The programme included a world musical premiere, concerts and talks by the musicians and conductor Julian Rachlin, in what has been described as ‘a triumph’ by many in the audience.

Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre chief executive Simon Glinn, said: “To get something like that in Buxton outside the festival season, and to have a programme of that great quality is fantastic.

“We couldn’t do it without the university’s support.”

Ensemble 10/10, the contemporary arm of Liverpool Philharmonic, opened the residency by performing the world premiere of a new work by Nigel Osborne, MBE.

The centrepiece was a concert with the orchestra directed by violinist and conductor Julian Rachlin with two pieces by Mozart and Mendelssohn.

Violinist James Clark and cellist Jonathan Aasgaard gave a lunchtime recital of music by Ravel and Glière to complete the hat-trick of performances.

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic will be back in Buxton next year.