Conductor to take final bow with Norwich orchestra after more than 30 years

He has conducted the Norwich-based Academy of St Thomas for more than three decades but Christopher Adey will be taking his final bow with the orchestra at a concert next month.

Christopher Adey (centre) will be conducting his 70th and final Academy of St Thomas performance on March 3 at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich.Photo: Adrian Judd - Credit: Adrian Judd

The concert at St Andrew's Hall on March 3 - a Beethoven and Schubert programme featuring French violinist Amaury Coeytaux - will be Mr Adey's 70th AST performance during his 33-year association with the music ensemble. He conducted his first AST concert at Norwich Cathedral in 1984, the year after the orchestra's founder, the late Ivan Cane, retired from conducting.

'My association with AST has been one of the most rewarding of my career, personally and professionally,' said Mr Adey.

'It has been wonderful working with such a proficient and versatile group of players, whose professionalism and approach to all forms of music make both rehearsals and concerts an absolute pleasure.'

Aside from AST, Mr Adey's vast career began when he trained primarily as a violinist at the Royal Academy of Music, and he was a member of Sir John Barbirolli's Halle Orchestra before joining the London Philharmonic. He made his conducting debut with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in 1973 and has gone on to pursue a freelance career across the globe.

Christopher Adey will be conducting his 70th and final Academy of St Thomas performance on March 3 at St Andrew's Hall in Norwich.Photo: Academy of St Thomas - Credit: Academy of St Thomas

Paying tribute to Mr Adey's contribution to AST, chairman Tim O'Riordan said: 'Over the past 33 years the AST has musically blossomed under the leadership of Chris Adey. Chris has proved that he is much more than a conductor. He is a creative inspiration, a friend and a counsellor. He has fashioned us into one of the leading ensembles of its kind in the country.'

Andrew Cane, principal viola and son of Ivan Cane, said: 'This has been a very special partnership between conductor and orchestra...Chris's profound understanding of the orchestra and how it works has given us new insights into music we thought we knew well...The excitement of performing in concert under Chris's baton has always been guaranteed.'

The AST concert - which will include performances of Beethoven's Coriolan Overture and Violin Concerto in D major and Schubert's Symphony No.9 in C major 'The Great' - will take place at 7.30pm on March 3 at St Andrew's Hall. To book tickets, visit www.academyofstthomas.com