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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales has announced that HRH The Prince of Wales will be visiting the Orchestra's new home ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Hoddinott Hall during its opening festival celebrations.

His Royal Highness, who is Patron of the Orchestra, will attend a concert on Saturday 31 January at the new venue at Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay and will unveil a plaque to commemorate the opening.

During his visit The Prince will be met by the Controller of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales, Menna Richards, and Rhiannon Hoddinott, wife of the late composer Alun Hoddinott who died last year and after whom the hall has been named.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Hoddinott Hall is the Orchestra's new base where all its rehearsals and studio recordings will be made. It includes a new state-of-the-art concert hall seating 350 people and the Grace Williams Studio designed for outreach activity.

The concert that His Royal Highness will attend will include The Walk To The Paradise Garden by Delius, Schumann's Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 4.

For the evening the Orchestra will be conducted by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales's Conductor Laureate, Tadaaki Otaka, giving his first concert at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Hoddinott Hall. He will be joined by one of Britain's best-loved pianists, John Lill, performing Schumann's intimate Piano Concerto.

Menna Richards, Controller ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales, said: "Since the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales was formed 80 years ago it has brought huge range and variety to its performances. As well as regular classical concerts, it also offers a platform to some of Wales' emerging and established composers and performers.

"Today, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales is one of Britain's finest orchestras, and I am delighted we are able to show the hall and studio, named after one of Wales' greatest composers, to the Orchestra's patron, The Prince of Wales.

"It is a great occasion, not only for the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales, but for music in Wales; an acknowledgement that music and the arts sit at the centre of what Wales is about and how we define ourselves as a nation."

The opening festival at ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Hoddinott Hall runs from January 22 until February 1. For more details visit bbc.co.uk or call the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812.

Notes to Editors

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales occupies a very special role as both a national and broadcasting orchestra, acclaimed not only for the quality of its performances but also for its importance within its own community.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales is Orchestra-in-Residence at St David’s Hall, Cardiff and it also presents a concert series at the Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. The Orchestra tours throughout Wales and internationally, including a tour to the USA and Czech Republic during 2007.

The Orchestra's concerts are broadcast on Radio 3, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Cymru Wales radio and television, and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Four.

They enjoy close working relationships with programme makers, including recording the soundtrack to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales's Doctor Who and Torchwood series.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of Wales's dynamic Education and Community Department extends the work of the Orchestra beyond the confines of the concert hall into schools, workplaces and communities.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Wales Press Office