Nicola Benedetti to play in Aberdeen

INTERNATIONAL classical music superstar Nicola Benedetti is set to hit the right notes with her Aberdeen fans.

The acclaimed young Scottish violinist will perform in Aberdeen this spring as part of her Fantasie recital tour.

Aberdeen Music Hall bosses expect the April 1 concert to be one of the hottest tickets among classical music fans.

Duncan Hendry, chief executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts, said: “It’s fantastic to have Nicola back in the city.

“Her performance last year as part of the Music Hall’s 150th anniversary celebrations was a highlight of the season.

“I have no doubt the demand for her tickets will be as exceptional as her talent.”

The 22-year-old performer, from Ayrshire, has had a meteoric rise to fame in the classical music world, winning praise from critics and fans alike around the globe.

She won the BBC’s coveted Young Musician of the Year title in 2004 securing a £1 million recording contract.

Since then she has performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras and at prestigious events, such as playing for the Queen at the opening ceremony of the Scottish Parliament building. Her April concert will see her perform popular favourites from the solo and chamber music repertoire with Leonard Elschenbroich on cello and Alexei Grynyuk on piano.

Nicola’s fourth album Fantasie was released in September last year, featuring the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and became an immediate hit.

Tickets for her Aberdeen concert go on sale to the general public from Friday.

sbegbie@ajl.co.uk