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Thousands of people are expected to enjoy a magical evening of music in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle on Saturday night (11 September) at this year’s ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park in Northern Ireland is in its ninth year and all tickets for the free event have been allocated. This year, with support from Lisburn City Council, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park teams up once again with the Ulster Orchestra on a grand scale to present a night of popular classical and contemporary music.

The event is part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's prestigious Last Night of the Proms celebrations as once again Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England host ambitious live events to mark the end of the world's largest classical music festival.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park at Hillsborough is hosted by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland's Noel Thompson and Claire McCollum.

It will feature performances from renowned musicians and singers from the worlds of classical and contemporary music including Northern Ireland's own Duke Special; Russian-born violinist Alexandra Soumm; the Ulster Orchestra, under the baton of Carl Davis; flautist Brian Finnegan and dancers Irish Beats.

Renowned tenor Russell Watson was due to take part in this year's event in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle but announced earlier today he is unfortunately unable to do so due to illness.

Russell said: "It is with huge regret that I can¹t be with everybody tonight at Hillsborough Castle. Unfortunately I am suffering from a glandular throat infection and the doctor has advised that I can¹t travel and perform over the next couple of days. I was so looking forward to being there with you all as this would have been a great start to the autumn. I wish you all a wonderful evening and will be thinking of you."

It has now been confirmed that multi-platinum selling trio The Priests will now perform live at the event. Audiences at the event and listeners tuned in on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Ulster can expect to enjoy an evening of everything from Strauss to Brahms, Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer and Rodgers and Hammerstein.

For those with tickets for the event, a free park and ride system will be in operation from the following locations: Marks And Spencer Sprucefield and B&Q Sprucefield from 4pm. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms bus stops will be clearly signposted and staff will be available to answer queries at each of the locations.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms Traffic arriving at Hillsborough will be redirected to the above locations.

Alternatively audiences can listen to, or view, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park as it will be broadcast live on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Ulster from 7.30pm in the company of John Toal.

Satellite and cable viewers, can press the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Red Button to watch all ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park concerts across the country. This facility will not be available to viewers with Freeview and Freesat. The Hillsborough concert will be available to view from Sunday 12 September for seven days on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer accessed at: bbc.co.uk/iplayer.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle will be recorded by ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland to be shown on television later in the year. Concert goers will be able to view sections of the Last Night of the Proms from London's Royal Albert Hall throughout the night on a giant video screen in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle.

Peter Johnston, Director ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland, said: "Proms in the Park is one of the most prestigious large-scale events the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ undertakes each year and we are really looking forward to bringing it back again to the grounds of Hillsborough Castle.

"Promenaders can be assured of a very special evening of great music from a mix of talented local and international artists from Duke Special to Russell Watson; Moscow-born violinist Alexandra Soumm; world renowned conductor Carl Davis, flautist Brian Finnegan and dancers, Irish Beats, all set against the stunning backdrop of the castle and gardens."

The Mayor of Lisburn, Alderman Paul Porter, said: "Lisburn City Council is delighted to have come onboard once again to support ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park tonight and are delighted this open air musical extravaganza is returning to the magnificent grounds of Hillsborough Castle in the City of Lisburn.

"This is a splendid opportunity for both seasoned enthusiasts and those who are attending the proms for the first time to be enthralled by world-class performers in the arts of music, song and dance.

"I encourage everyone to bring their picnics, chairs or rugs and enjoy what I know will be a very special evening in Hillsborough."

For full details of terms and conditions for those attending ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park in the grounds of Hillsborough Castle visit: bbc.co.uk/ni/tickets

Notes to Editors

Stills pictures from ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms in the Park will be issued on behalf of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Northern Ireland via William Cherry (Presseye) today (Friday 10 September) and over the weekend of 11/12 September.

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