One of the top orchestras in Britain is to visit the Isle of Man.

The Halle orchestra, led by Lyn Fletcher, is to visit in June for two performances.

The world-famous orchestra, whose musical director is Sir Mark Elder CBE, will be in concert at the Villa Marina on June 17 and 18.

The orchestra was founded by Sir Charles Halle in 1858 and is based at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, where it performs around 70 times a year.

It also gives concerts all over the world and makes frequent TV and radio appearances.

The Halle’s programme on the Saturday, from 7.30pm, will include works by Bizet, Ravel, Glinka, Falla and Rodrigo. Stephen Bell will conduct and Craig Ogden will be on guitar.

On the Sunday at 2.30pm, under the baton of Jonathon Heyward, the Heroes and Villains-themed programme will include items as varied as John Williams’ film scores and movements of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Rossini’s The William Tell Overture. The presenter will be Tom Redmond.

The Sunday concert will offer young people a unique opportunity to play and sing with an international symphony orchestra as part of the Come and Play with the Halle initiative.

Maggie Richardson, who heads the Department of Education and Children’s music service, is preparing young people to take part in specially-composed items alongside the Halle’s professional musicians, with the chance to experience a rehearsal in the morning and live performance in the afternoon.

The Halle also performed in the island in 2011.

Geoff Corkish MBE MLC, chairman of the Arts Council, said: ’We provide our community with opportunities to engage with the arts and culture of all kinds.

’Bringing such an esteemed orchestra as the Halle to perform at the Villa Marina is something we are proud and pleased to do, especially as it includes the opportunity for our own young musicians to bring along their instruments and join in.

’Thanks to sponsorship from the Isle of Man Steam Packet, PokerStars, Tower Insurance and Manx Radio, we have been able to peg ticket prices at close to 2011 rates.

’There are a variety of prices and concessions, including family tickets, but, with even the most expensive ticket being £31 and the cheapest £10.50, we hope many people will be able to access and enjoy this world-class orchestra.’

Tickets are on sale via www.villagaiety.com or the ticket hotline on 600555 from Saturday.

For information on getting involved with Come and Play with the Halle, email [email protected] or ring 694598.

The Halle is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.