UO Playback: The Opening of the Waterfront Hall, 1997

Welcome to January’s edition of UO Playback! Allow us to take you back to 17th January 1997 for a very special gala concert marking the grand opening of the Waterfront Hall, as the Ulster Orchestra celebrated its 30th Anniversary Season.

Colourful lasers illuminated the magnificent new landmark over the Belfast skyline, whilst inside the hall, the atmosphere was electric as over 2,000 guests gathered for an eagerly-anticipated evening of glittering entertainment, showcasing a wealth of homegrown talent.

The Orchestra, conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk, was joined by star soloists, flautist James Galway and pianist Barry Douglas, alongside Belfast-born actors James Ellis and Frances Tomelty. The concert began with a world premiere of a celebratory orchestral piece by Philip Hammond, Waterfront Fanfares. The programme featured a cowboy ballet with Four Dance Episodes from Aaron Copland’s Rodeo, and Lorin Maazel’s playful Irish Vapours and Capers, written for, and masterfully played by Galway. Barry Douglas provided a fitting finale to a memorable evening with Beethoven’s majestic Emperor concerto, followed by a moving rendition of the Londonderry Air.

Fortunately, for those unable to get their hands on the hottest ticket in town, the concert was broadcast live on BBC Radio Ulster and BBC NI.

The Waterfront Hall quickly established itself as a home for orchestral music, with the orchestra returning a fortnight later with a rare performance of Mahler’s First Symphony. Leading symphony orchestras from around the world graced its stage throughout 1997 and 1998 as part of a major international orchestral series. 

Were you one of the lucky few in the audience that night? Share your memories with us on social media – @ulsterorchestra on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky and Threads.

Images: Ulster Orchestra Archive/Michael McSorley