ORCHESTRA North East is preparing for its latest concert at Durham's Gala Theatre.

The performance, under the baton of Michael Bawtree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, will feature an all-Russian programme, showing off some of the contrasts and styles of that distinctive school of music.

A spokesperson for the orchestra said: "For this concert we are very pleased to welcome back Russian-born Anna-Liisa Bezrodny to play the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with us.

"Anna-Liisa is one of the leading soloists of her generation and regular audience members will know that this will be her fourth appearance with the orchestra.

"We are eagerly awaiting what we know will be a stunning performance of one of the great works of the violin repertoire.

"We have every confidence that this varied and attractive programme will have a wide appeal, particularly providing an enjoyable introduction for those less familiar with classical music."

A lively opening to the Russian Gala will be provided by Glinka’s Overture to his opera Ruslan and Ludmilla, while in gentle contrast, Borodin’s evocative tone poem In the Steppes of Central Asia paints a tuneful picture of the vast expanses of Russia.

Tchaikovsky’s famous score for the ballet The Nutcracker includes, The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and The Waltz of the Flowers.

A final feature of the concert will be a short performance by young dancers from the Durham Dance School. The concert is on Sunday March 10 at 3pm. Ticket Prices are £16, £14 (conc), students £8 and accompanied 16s and under, £1.

Box Office contact 03000 266600 or viset www.galadurham.co.uk.