Our History

January 1997 – Opening of the Waterfront Hall

As the Ulster Orchestra celebrated its 30th anniversary season, Belfast was preparing for a very special gala concert marking the grand opening of the Waterfront Hall on 17 January 1997.

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.

A packed concert hall with the Ulster Orchestra performing on stage at the 1997 opening of Waterfront Hall in Belfast, surrounded by a large audience on multiple tiers, highlighted by the unforgettable atmosphere of UO Playback.
Photograph from the Belfast Telegraph showing the Ulster Orchestra performing in the newly-opened Waterfront Hall, 17 January 1997. Courtesy of Michael McSorley.

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 Northern Ireland.

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.

Illustrated poster for the Ulster Orchestra Waterfront Opening Festival Concerts at Waterfront Hall on January 17th and 18th, 1997, featuring a concert hall and musical instruments.
Front cover of the programme for the Waterfront Hall's opening concerts.
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