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The stage at Centenary Square will come alive with excerpts from the classics as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Birmingham Opera Company share the stage.Ìý

BRB perform at Classical Fantasia 2007

This will include extracts from Puccini’s La Boheme, and Bizet’s Carmen, as well as performances from The Dream and The Nutcracker, performed by BRB soloists.Ìý The evening will conclude with a fantastic finale accompanied by a stunning fireworks display.

Light Night

Other groups performing over the ArtsFest weekend include Ex Cathedra, who will be performing in Birmingham Cathedral on Friday evening as part of Light Night, a late night cultural phenomenon that has been sweeping Europe.

The CBSO centre will also be hosting a full programme of events, including a centenary celebration of Rimsky-Korsakov as well as more contemporary performances from Heather Wastie and Birmingham Contemporary Music Group.

CBSO

Singing workshops

Workshops with Birmingham Festival Choral Society, City of Birmingham Choir and Midland Opera will be running throughout Saturday and Sunday, giving budding singers a chance to try their hand at classics such as Handel’s Messiah and Bizet’s Carmen.

Cllr Ray Hassall, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture said, "Classical Fantasia and other events will give visitors a chance to experience world class choral and orchestral music from the heart of Birmingham.Ìý These free workshops are a great opportunity for people to try their hand at something new."

ArtsFest, on 12-14 September, is organised by Birmingham City Council. For more information and to join the mailing list log on to www.artsfest.org.uk or call 0121 464 5678.