Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) Nights Out at Sage Gateshead with my Teen (AD/REVIEW)

*We received complimentary tickets from Sage Gateshead

On a rare occasion that I only have one son on a Saturday, I accepted an invitation to attend a Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) Night Out at Sage Gateshead. The performance was Hollywood heroes conducted by Stephen Bell.

Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) Nights Out at Sage Gateshead with my Teen

My eldest, now nearly thirteen, and I enjoyed an afternoon of making and eating sushi before heading to Sage Gateshead for his first classical music concert with me. I've attended and written about increasing access to classical music before with Northern Orchestra and the Northern Chords Festival. 

Sage Gateshead is only a mile away from us along and across the River Tyne, however, it was a wet and windy evening so instead of taking the bus and having to walk across the Gateshead Millennium Bridge in a storm, we drove and parked with ease in the venue's own car park (£4.80 for the evening). There are though good public transport links and although anyone with a ticket for a performance at Sage Gateshead can travel on the Shields Ferry, or from any Metro station to the Gateshead stop, on the date shown on the ticket – absolutely free.

Hollywood Heroes

The theme was Hollywood heroes. Starting and ending with magnificent music of John Williams but we also heard from Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman, Vangelis and Michael Giacchino. 

I'd totally forgotten Chariots of Fire - it's amazing just what memories music can bring back to you. I remember seeing that film at the cinema in Consett, it was The Empire, no doubt a while after it was actually released as films took longer to travel to smaller cinemas in those days, and it was a double bill with Gregory's Girl. It also makes you realise how influential the musical score is on the success of a film - it's not all about the action. And what a great way to hear it being played live by the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

My eldest recognised many of the tunes - from The Avengers, Harry Potter, The Incredibles, Superman and of course Star Wars - and we were treated to not just one but two of the iconic instrumentals. These nights are a great way to engage a younger and less traditional audience for classical music, and a great introduction to watching live orchestras.

Sage Gateshead

Sage Gateshead is an international music centre and renowned conference and event venue in the North East of England. Located in St Mary's Square o the southern bank of the River Tye itis unmissable. Sage Gateshead contains three performance spaces; a 1,700-seater, a 450-seater, and a smaller rehearsal and performance hall. Hollywood Heroes was performed in Hall one. A stage that both of my boys have sung on with their school. The eldest also performed Scottish Opera in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall. If you've never been inside Sage Gateshead you can take a virtual tour to see inside this impressive venue

Every year it welcomes more than two million visitors. More than 400 concerts featuring all kinds of local, regional and international music, take place all year round. 

The stunning building, designed by renowned architect Norman Foster, is home to Royal Northern Sinfonia and is a place where emerging artists are nurtured through dedicated programmes and festivals. It's now such an iconic building it is hard to believe it wasn't once there. I still remember being told that 'something like Sydney Opera House' was going to be built on the Gateshead side of the river.

Royal Northern Sinfonia

Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of Sage Gateshead is the UK’s only full-time chamber orchestra. Founded in 1958, RNS has built a worldwide reputation for the North East through the quality of its music-making and the immediacy of the connections the musicians make with audiences. The orchestra regularly flies the flag for the region at the Edinburgh Festival and the BBC Proms.

Lars Vogt - Music Director
Julian Rachlin - Principal Guest Conductor
Thomas Zehetmair - Conductor Laureate
Karin Hendrickson - Assistant Conductor

RNS Nights Out

RNS Nights Out is a regular series of shows that focuses on music from film and the world of pop. The next performance in the season at Sage is on Saturday 28 March with RNS Nights Out - The Music of Elton John: 50 Years of 'Your Song'

My gift is my song, and this one’s for you. Some hits are forever, and over 50 years in the business, Sir Elton John has released classic after solid gold classic. Thrill to Rocket Man or sob along to the unbridled emotion of Candle in the Wind: either way, the artist formerly known as Reginald Dwight has written the soundtrack to all our lives. Everyone’s got a favourite Elton John song, and when Royal Northern Sinfonia joins an all-star West End cast for this spectacular symphonic tribute, you’re sure to hear yours: Circle of Life, Pinball Wizard, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and many more.

My eldest enjoyed it so much we are returning for an evening with The Music of Elton John with RNS in a few weeks time.

Deb x

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