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Katie Melua headlines Manchester's BBC Proms in the Park on 9th September
Katie Melua headlines Manchester's BBC Proms in the Park 9 September
Manchester has done it again and secured one of the world's leading vocalists to perform at the prestigious outdoor event, BBC Proms in the Park.
Katie Melua has just been signed as the headline act for the event at Heaton Park on the evening of 9 September.
Last year's event was headlined by soprano star Hayley Westenra, who stunned the crowds with her haunting vocals. This year Manchester has hit the jackpot again and signed Britain's top selling female singer, who is about to hits the charts again with her soon to be released single ‘It's Only Pain' on September 11th.
Katie Melua has been the biggest selling female artist in Britain since 2004 with both her debut album ‘Call Off The Search' and her second album ‘Piece By Piece' topping the charts. In addition to great success in Britain, her adopted country, Katie continues to be one of Britain's most successful exports selling more than 6 million albums worldwide, remaining in the top 10 of the European chart for 6 months. Katie's 10 week European sell-out tour earlier this year included 18 dates in Britain and a further 28 dates across continental Europe with a total audience exceeding 150,000 people.
Katie has spent the last 3 months on tour in North America and appearing on high profile shows such as The Today Show and Good Morning America. She has returned to Britain in time to release her new single ‘It's Only Pain' and a deluxe version of ‘Piece By Piece' which will include a bonus DVD.
"I had an amazing time when I played at the arena earlier the year. Since then I've toured the whole of Europe and coast to coast in North America but I am pleased to be back home and I'm looking forward to coming back to Manchester again."
Councillor Mark Hackett, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure said:
"We are delighted that Katie Melua has chosen to sing at Manchester's BBC Proms in the Park, it is a great honour to welcome one of the world's top singers to our splendid Heaton Park, which is a perfect backdrop to Katie's spectacular stage performance.
"We expect over 10,000 people from all over the region to come along and be enthralled by Katie's mesmerizing voice and the rousing music from the Manchester-based BBC Philharmonic."
BBC Proms in the Park is a classical music extravaganza, linking Manchester to main events in London's Royal Albert Hall, and to four other Proms in the Park events in London, Belfast, Swansea and Glasgow.
BBC Radio Manchester celebrity, Heather Stott, is the event compere, introducing headline act Katie Melua, music from the BBC Philharmonic conducted by Steve Bell and a number of yet to be announced supporting acts. An expected audience of well over 10,000 will enjoy a packed programme of classical and opera favourites culminating in a live link-up with the Royal Albert Hall and the ubiquitous crowd sing a long, followed by a spectacular firework display from the roof of James Wyatt's neo-classical masterpiece, Heaton Hall.
Tickets for BBC Proms in the Park in Manchester are on sale now priced £12.50, under 12's free with a paying adult. Available from Manchester Visitor Information Centre in person or by calling 0871 2228 223*; in person at Heaton Park Farm Centre (cash/cheque only) or online at bbc.co.uk/proms. Telephone and online bookings close at 5pm on Friday 8th. Tickets bought too late for posting can be collected from the Box Office in Heaton Park which will open at 12 noon on Saturday and remain open for ticket sales and collection until 7.30pm. The Box Office will be situated in front of the Farm Centre, the nearest park entrance is in St Margarets Road, off Bury Old Road.
New for 2006, BBC Proms in the Park is sponsored by National Savings and Investments.
* Calls cost 10p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other providers may vary.