Family affair as Michael joins up with St Albans Symphnoy Orchestra

PRIZE-WINNING cellist Michael Wigram is making his solo debut with St Albans Symphony Orchestra (SASO) next Saturday, March 13. Michael, 26, is from a famous family of local musicians and will be playing Dvorak s cello concerto in the concert at 7.30pm in

PRIZE-WINNING cellist Michael Wigram is making his solo debut with St Albans Symphony Orchestra (SASO) next Saturday, March 13.

Michael, 26, is from a famous family of local musicians and will be playing Dvorak's cello concerto in the concert at 7.30pm in St Saviour's Church, Sandpit Lane.

Since graduating with distinction in his Master's studies at the Royal College of Music, Michael has been nominated by the London Philharmonic Orchestra to the Foyle Future Firsts apprenticeship scheme.

He previously won a major performance prize while studying music at Royal Holloway, University of London.

Last year he was a member of the Southbank Sinfonia, London's leading orchestra for young professional players, and he has recently finished performing in a Tom Stoppard play at the National Theatre.

Michael's appearance with SASO will be a family affair - his mother Jennifer is leader of the orchestra in which his father Tony plays viola. Brothers Robert and David have also played with the orchestra.

Dvorak's Cello Concerto was mostly written during the composer's two-year stay in America in the 1890s and abounds with memorable tunes, seemingly prompted by heartfelt longing for his Czech homeland.

The concert, conducted by James Ross, will also include a performance of Tchaikovsky's fiery Fourth Symphony and another great Russian composer, Rimsky-Korsakov, is represented through his overture to the opera May Night which opens the concert.

Tickets are �14 and �10 (under-18s �1 and students �5), available from the SASO ticket secretary on 01727 857422 or on the door