A splendid night of classical music will mark the culmination of this year’s Darley Park Weekender. The Darley Park Concert is the third and final act of Derby’s August Bank Holiday extravaganza of entertainment, and the programme has now been announced.
Set in the beautiful surroundings of Darley Park, this year’s Weekender starts on Friday 25 August with the brand new Ultimate 90s event, before the fantastic 80s Mix Tape on Saturday 26. To round off the weekend on Sunday 27 August, families can enjoy classical music and fireworks at the Darley Park Concert, one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts, with orchestra Sinfonia Viva.
As the Orchestra of the East Midlands, Sinfonia Viva has been a well-loved and respected organisation since its formation in 1982. As well as performing around the country, it is devoted to delivering creative community projects. The orchestra’s appearance at Darley Park is supported by Rolls-Royce PLC.
The Darley Park Concert, which has been taking place for three decades, is staged by Derby LIVE, Derby City Council’s arts and events arm, with support from sponsors HUUB, WDS and Circulayo. Andy Twigge, Breakfast Show presenter with our media partner Radio Derby, will be the host.
This year’s concert will be a family affair, with two sets of siblings taking on pivotal roles. Tim Redmond will be conducting this year’s proceedings, joined by his brother Tom Redmond as presenter.
Tim conducts and presents concerts throughout Europe. He’s a regular guest conductor with the London Symphony and Royal Philharmonic Orchestras and works with many of the leading British and European orchestras. Horn player and animateur Tom has performed all over the world with renowned orchestras and was a member of the Hallé for 13 years before leaving to devote more time to music education and broadcasting.
The family theme continues with soloists Harry Apps and Emily Apps, who are brother and sister. Harry has appeared in Les Miserables in London’s West End and is preparing for a role in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends and the Gielgud Theatre, while Emily has appeared in several theatre productions and, last year, wrote and performed her own cabaret show in the West End.
Brother and sister soloists Harry and Emily Apps
The audience will be treated to an exciting variety of music ranging from classics composed by Edward Elgar and Percy Grainger to themes from movies including Indiana Jones, Thunderball and Frozen. Sinfonia Viva will also bring their unique interpretations of chart toppers by Queen, Gloria Gaynor and Dolly Parton and musical theatre favourites from Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar.
It will close with the traditional fireworks finale rendition of Land of Hope and Glory, which has proved to be a highlight for audiences over the years.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Culture and Tourism, said:
This event keeps getting bigger and better every year and it’s wonderful to see people come together to enjoy music in the beautiful setting of Darley Park.
The Darley Park Concert is the perfect way to round off what promises to be a fantastic weekend from start to finish. It’s a great opportunity to see an award-winning orchestra perform for such a brilliant ticket price.
Local performers will also be taking to the stage during the concert, with Derby’s own Local Vocals Community Choir getting the event started. The choir, which has members aged from 17 up to their seventies, performs upbeat and positive rock and pop – everything from Elton John and David Bowie to Elbow and Duran Duran.
This year, Derby-based music and arts development organisation Baby People will be involved with the concert for the first time, providing entertainment during the interval. This will feature a performance by singer-songwriter Lily Blu, who fuses indie and pop tracks with sleek acoustic guitar sounds. She will be joined by Lillie-Keay, a powerhouse vocalist with an impressive vocal range, who takes inspiration from the likes of Adele and Freya Ridings.
Tickets for The Darley Park Weekender are on sale now. Friday night’s Ultimate 90s will be presented by Radio Derby’s daytime presenter Ian Skye, with a poptastic line-up featuring Peter Andre, East 17, Liberty X and Five. Radio Derby’s afternoon presenter Sally Pepper will host the The 80s Mix Tape on Saturday, featuring famous names such as DJ Martin Kemp, Hue and Cry and ABC.
Tickets purchased before 26 August for Ultimate 90s or 80s Mix Tape are £25 per adult – book for both at the same time and save £5 – or £28 on the day. Tickets are £15 for children aged 5-16, with under 5s going free.
Tickets for The Darley Park Concert bought before 31 July 2023 are just £4.50 for adults and £1.50 for under 16s. From the 1 August to 29 August, they are £6.50 per adult and £4 for under 16s.
Buy on the day prices are £9 per adult and £4 for under-16s. All the events will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted.
Tickets are available on the Derby LIVE website or at the Sales and Information Centre, Guildhall Theatre, Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AE, or by calling 01332 255 800.
This year, the Darley Park Weekender has undergone some site changes, with new arrangements for parking and what you can take in with you, so please do check the Derby LIVE website in advance.