THE first performance of the newly formed Bolton Sinfonietta (formerly the Academy of St Anne) on September 28 attracted very favourable comments.

The Chapel at Thornleigh Salesian College provided a delightful setting , I'm told, and conductor Paul Payon compiled an interesting and innovative programme of music with Spanish connections.

Kate Sawbridge, the 17-year-old cellist, was the soloist in Gllazonnov's Serenade Espagnole. Other items included Bizet's Carmen Suite No 1, a symphony by the relatively unknown Spanish composer Arriaga and the Suite from The Spanish Lady, an opera Elgar had only partly written before he died.

Organisers were disappointed with the small number in the audience but they hope to see more people there to enjoy the Christmas concert with the Brixi Singers on December 20 and the Swiss Connection concert on April 19 next year.

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