Alexander McCall Smith brings his Really Terrible Orchestra to New York

1 APRIL 2009 NEW YORK TOWN HALL 8PM

The Really Terrible Orchestra, created by Alexander McCall Smith, is going to New York for a one-off, one-date tour in what promises to be their most ear shattering performance ever.

The self-styled musicians of the RTO will play in New York Town Hall under the distinguished baton of Sir Richard Neville-Towle on April Fools’ Day – but this is no joke!

Favourites from the Edinburgh-based band’s repertoire will be performed, new works tried out and classics revisited, all as part of the 2009 New York Tartan Week celebrations.

There will be a real modern Major General reprising Gilbert and Sullivan’s legendary number from the Pirates of Penzance to new lyrics, a bagpipe serenade, cannon fire and the New York premiere of a musical saw concerto.

Founded in 1995 by Alexander McCall Smith and his wife Elizabeth, the Really Terrible Orchestra has provided a refuge for the cream of Edinburgh’s musically disadvantaged. It has spawned a number of tribute bands in the UK and in the US, including The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle (RTOOT) and the RTO Pennsylvania. They perform sell-out concerts every year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and have succeeded where the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has failed, by selling out London’s Cadogan Hall.

All profits from the show will go to two American charities - the Children’s Orchestra Society, founded by Dr Yeou-Cheng Ma, and National Tartan Day New York Committee.

www.thereallyterribleorchestra.com

For more information or to book tickets visit the venue website here.