Day two of Birmingham’s three day ArtsFest came to a classic close with CBSO and Birmingham Royal Ballet playing to a capacity crowd in a magnificent concert of music, opera, ballet and fireworks in a grand finale. The total for the day reaching 125,000.

 

Summer arrived and could not have been in starker contrast to the previous evening’s rain. More than 100,000 people basked in late summer sunshine and enjoyed the hundreds of free events.

 

In the evening the concert attracted more than 25,000 to see Birmingham’s internationally acclaimed orchestra perform with Birmingham Royal Ballet give flawless performances taken from their Autumn programme, the Nutcracker and the Dream. Birmingham Opera Company fresh from their runaway success of the recent production of King Idomeneo performed excerpts from; Boheme, Carmen, Rigoletto and Samson and Delilah. Then the CBSO delighted the audience with excerpts from favourites such as Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and the Overture from Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro.

 

The evening, which was warm and clear, closed with a spectacular fireworks display, designed to co-ordinate with the final rousing performances of the Star Wars Theme and the legendary Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner.

 

Cllr Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture said “Tonight’s performances by Birmingham’s very own City of Birmingham Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Opera show that the people of this city appreciate the arts.”

 

“ArtsFest has brought hundreds of thousands of people into the city today and this evening to enjoy our great city. People need to enjoy their city as a place to entertain, relax and be inspired by what it has to offer.”

 

The Emirates beach was packed as they sat in late summer sunshine to watch belly dancing and Appalachian step dance. The museum goers were entertained with classical music and acapella choir Magenta. The public got a chance to look around the Council Chambers and see art on display for sale. Rock fans saw some of the regions best unsigned bands in a day long concert in city centre gardens.

 

The event continues on Sunday with more events across the city including Brindley Place, Arcadian, Custard Factory. Paintings on the railings, Poetry in the museum and moiré entertainment on the Emirates beach. The event will culminate with KerrangFest from the Centenary Square stage.