-Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s announces first shows for 2013-

The 2013 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s has announced the first of its shows for this year’s event with an international mix of tenors, tension and transformation.

Opening this year’s event on 17th October is an international double-bill with the unveiling of Ireland’s largest land-art portrait created by acclaimed Cuban-American artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada followed by a performance by world renowned tenor José Carrerras at The Waterfront Hall in the evening.  Roger Bernat’s theatrical experiment in political engagement Pending Vote makes its Irish premiere as does Rob Drummond’s ‘edge of your seat’ performance of the infamous magic trick Bullet Catch.

Add to the mix world-class, home grown talent with a new major production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot and an epic closing concert from the Ulster Orchestra and the stage is set for Festival 2013.

Ellvena Graham, Head of Ulster Bank Northern Ireland says: ” The strength of the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s is not only that it brings to Belfast new experiences but that it presents these in unusual venues making it more accessible as well as more exciting for all to enjoy. It connects audiences and artists in a unique and memorable way, while also providing a welcome boost for Belfast business.”

An epic opening day will witness the unveiling of Ireland’s largest land-art portrait piece which will be created by The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s first artist in residence, Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada, in collaboration with volunteers and community groups from all over Belfast.  Measuring a staggering five acres this piece will transform part of the Titanic Quarter and be open for all to view – free of charge. From a classical music perspective this year’s opening concert brings a touch of glamour to the programme with the legendary tenor, José Carreras making his Belfast Festival debut joined by Irish Soprano Celine Byrne and pianist Lorenzo Bavaj.

Throughout the eleven days from 17th – 27th October a strong theatre programme will be presented in partnership with the Lyric Theatre including; the Northern Irish premiere of Beckett’s theatrical masterpiece Waiting for Godot presented by the highly acclaimed Gare St Lazare Players Ireland, Rogers Bernat’s Irish premiere of political theatre Pending Vote – a show with no performers and where the audience become politicians for the night and vote to determine the direction of the performance and the Irish premiere of Bullet Catch – a tense ‘edge of your seat’ performance of a stunt that has claimed the lives of at least 12 people since its inception in 1613 and was deemed so dangerous that Houdini refused to attempt it.

Noirin McKinney, Director of Arts Development, at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland commented, “This year’s impressive festival programme brings the best and most sought-after arts from home and abroad.  The Irish premieres of ‘Bullet Catch’ and ‘Pending Vote’, are great examples of the festival bringing new and interesting theatre talent to Northern Ireland, offering a world-class experience for audiences, which is within the reach of everyone.”

From international stars to world-class homegrown talent as Sir James Galway joins the Ulster Orchestra with A Musical Journey from Rodrigo to Tchaikovsky. Taking festival into unusual venues the UK’s leading historical performance ensemble La Serenissima will perform Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Clonard Monastry. Festival will draw to a close at The Ulster Hall with a performance by the Ulster Orchestra entitled The Swan Songs of Strauss – featuring The Four Last Songs for soprano and orchestra which were the final completed works of Richard Strauss, composed in 1948 when the composer was 84.

Festival Director, Richard Wakely enthuses. ““This year’s programme expands the possibilities of presenting great works of art from home and abroad throughout the city and bringing audiences something that they cannot see elsewhere. We aim to provide the people of and visitors to our city with new ways to experience, engage and participate in a unique menu of artistic works that seek to both enlighten and entertain”.

The 2013 Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s would not be possible without the continuing support of various public and private sponsors, including Ulster Bank, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, the EU and the British Council. Plus the many venues, performers and partner organisations, whose commitment and passion bring the arts to life for all to enjoy.

The Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queen’s will deliver an eclectic mix of world-class theatre, music, dance, film, literature and talks in venues all over Belfast from 17th – 27th October 2013. More shows will be announced over the coming weeks and to find out more and book tickets visit www.belfastfestival.com or call box office on 00 44 2890 971197. #BelFest