SHOULD anyone ask if a church is big enough to seat a symphony orchestra, the answer must be yes it Can Can.
The musical sequence from Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld is to be performed, minus dancers, in the parish church of St John the Evangelist, South Bank, near Middlesbrough, next weekend.
The rousing music will be played by the Teesside Symphony Orchestra, the first time a symphony orchestra has visited the town.
Other favourites on the programme include Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Schubert's Unfinished Symphony.
South Bank resident Jean Bassett said: "We are very excited to be welcoming a symphony orchestra to South Bank for the first time.''
Sarah Beaty, from Billingham, a student at the Royal Northern College of Music, in Manchester, will be guest soloist in the Clarinet Concerto.
The youngest semi-finalist in the Radio Two Young Musician 2000 competition, Sarah was a finalist in the European Union Youth Orchestra auditions and a semi-finalist in the London Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Scholarships this year.
Orchestra chairman Nat Smith said: "There is no substitute for hearing classical music live and we are excited to be playing in such a wonderful building as St John's.''
Car park security is included in the cost of the tickets, available from St John's parish office, on (01642) 266485, from orchestra members or at the door on the night.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article