December 19, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The National Arts Centre (NAC) and the National Capital Commission (NCC) today announced a three-year partnership to present a summer festival of outdoor orchestral concerts in the new NCC festival park at LeBreton Flats. The festival will offer free evening concerts by the National Arts Centre Orchestra in a glorious open air setting between Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River.

Four concerts will take place from Thursday, July 19, to Sunday, July 22. In the summer of 2007, these concerts will be part of the celebrations in honour of the 150th anniversary of the choice of the Capital.

“The National Capital Commission is pleased to welcome the world-renowned National Arts Centre Orchestra at the new festival park on LeBreton Flats,” said Mr. Beaudry. “Audiences will be treated to live outdoor classical concerts by some of Canada’s finest musicians. This new prestigious site in the heart of the Capital is sure to become an important and diversified cultural destination.”

“This new partnership will be a wonderful way for the National Arts Centre Orchestra to give back to the local community which has supported their orchestra so loyally for decades,” said Peter Herrndorf, NAC President and CEO. “We also believe these outdoor concerts will help introduce the NAC Orchestra to an even wider audience, making great classical music even more accessible.”

The new park on LeBreton Flats covers a 3.6 hectare area in the heart of the Capital, between the Canadian War Museum and Wellington Street. Offering spectacular views, it will be the biggest gathering site for cultural events in the Capital.

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Information:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
613-947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca

Mario Tremblay, Media Relations,
National Capital Commission
613-239-5665
mtrembla@ncc-ccn.ca