Honorary Doctorate for Kenneth Montgomery OBE

 
“As one of very few artists in Northern Ireland to be recognised this year, I think it shows the importance of the Ulster Orchestra in cultural life here,” Kenneth Montgomery said. “And I hope that this recognition will move the Assembly and DCAL to consider extra funding for the orchestra in these dire economic times. Other orchestras in Britain have received additional funds and this award shows the importance of classical music to the people of Northern Ireland.”
The Belfast-born musician has worked in the arts in Northern Ireland for two decades starting in the 80s with the Belfast Philharmonic, followed by his artistic directorship of Opera Northern Ireland, and more recently his work with the Ulster Orchestra. He has just returned from a very successful production of Don Giovanni with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva and was greeted by the fantastic news of his OBE.
“When I first spoke to Kenneth to congratulate him, he said he felt the award honoured the work of the Ulster Orchestra, but clearly it also honours Kenneth Montgomery’s international career, particularly in opera, including the initial championing of Opera Northern Ireland,” said David Byers, Chief Executive of the Ulster Orchestra.

Kenneth Montgomery’s next appearance with the Ulster Orchestra will be for one of its concerts in the Chopin Festival, which opens on 29 January and features the outstanding pianist Nikolai Demidenko.
“It was an enormous pleasure to hear that I had been given the OBE and I am very much looking forward to receiving the award at Buckingham Palace in due course. But it’s equally important to continue to provide the highest standard of classical music to the people of Northern Ireland,” he added.