Orchestra in a Field announced for Glastonbury Abbey

Somerset's Orchestra in a Field, the inspiration of Somerset-based Charles Hazlewood (classical conductor), set in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey, over the weekend of Saturday 30th June and Sunday 1st July 2012 will be offering attendeees the chance to camp on the nearby Worthy Farm, at Pilton home to Glastonbury Festival.

Farmer Michael Eavis has given his permission for weekend ticket holders to camp on the famous Festival site with a free shuttle and Park and Ride service running to and from the Abbey Grounds.

This event promises a varied musical programme, offering something for all the family with food from local producers, a Talk Tent, kids area, lighting and projection art, and more.

This year's main concerts will be Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition' on Saturday, and Bizet's 'Carmen' on Sunday. The Mussorgsky piece will feature improvised replies to the symphony orchestra Excellent Device! supplied by Charles Hazlewood's All Star Collective, a 'supergroup' featuring Will Gregory from Goldfrapp, and Adrian Utley from Portishead.

Saturday's programme also includes Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture by the Scrapheap Orchestra, an orchestra of instruments made entirely from recycled materials, as well as Mike Oldfield's 'Tubular Bells' by Charles Hazlewood's All Star Collective, and other special guests preceded by 'A Rainbow in Curved Air'.

On Sunday there's a Community Choir Sing-Off in an X-Factor style with winners decided live by votes from the audience, and the world premiere appearance of The British Paraorchestra the UK's first-ever national disabled orchestra, and Adrian Utley's Guitar Orchestra.

Charles Hazlewood, conductor and the BBC's 'face of classical music', said, "People associate big orchestras with stuffy concert halls, and a lot of people are alienated by that image of 'classical music'. But take the music out of that setting, and it's a revelation. The sight of a full-scale symphony orchestra lit up against a night sky is awe-inspiring enough – let alone the sound!

"What better way of introducing your kids to classical music?" he adds. "They can run about and be themselves – they don't have to behave in a certain way. It's all about hanging out in a beautiful place, soaking in the sound and the spectacle.

"I think what we're offering here with Orchestra in a Field just isn't available anywhere else. We've got the production values of Glyndebourne and the chilled out atmosphere of Glastonbury. Plus we've got delicious food from a host of quality local producers, a Talk Tent, huge kids area, amazing lighting and projection art, you name it! It's perfect family entertainment."

Full price day tickets are priced at £36 and £65 for a weekend ticket including camping at Worthy Farm. Under 12s go free, and for students, concessions and under 18s, a weekend ticket including camping is £40 and a day ticket is priced at £20.

To buy tickets, click here.

Gates open: 12am – 11.30pm on Saturday, and 11am – 10.30pm on Sunday.

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