Perth Festival of the Arts is delighted to announce that Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will sing at the Bell Lawrie White Festival Concert on Sunday 29th May 2005 at Perth City Hall.

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa will be joined for this concert by The Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Julian Reynolds.

Dame Kiri, who is currently singing the lead role in “Vanessa” with Los Angeles Opera, said today that she is very much looking forward to her first visit to Perth in May next year.  Recent highlights in her illustrious career include a Gala Concert in Auckland, to launch The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, a charity that aims to give support and financial aid to dedicated New Zealand singers and musicians. www.kiritekanawa.org

John Cowmeadow Divisional Director at Bell Lawrie White commented

“Following the success of this year’s Bell Lawrie White Festival Concert, starring Lesley Garrett, we are delighted to build on this and continue our support in 2005. Our investment has helped bring world opera star, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa to Perth’s renowned festival and will be a fantastic opportunity for opera fans throughout Scotland to see one of most famous sopranos of this era. Our sponsorship not only recognises our ongoing commitment to the arts sector but means that the final concert at Perth City Hall with Dame Kiri will be an event to remember.”

Anne Coutts Chairman of Perth Festival said

“We are absolutely delighted that the Festival will be staging such a prestigious concert with the world-class opera singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, coming to Perth. The partnership with Bell Lawrie White has enabled us to host such an event, which we are sure will be the highlight of the 2005 Festival.“

Tickets will go on sale from Festival Box Office at Perth Theatre at the beginning of April.

The Festival will take place from 19th to 29th May and many more exciting announcements will be made in the coming weeks details will appear on the Festival website www.perthfestival.co.uk