ALDERLEY Edge Symphony Orchestra takes its audience on May 18 on a dazzling dance tour from the concert halls of Paris to the open plains of Dvorak’s New World symphony.

To guide them on their travels are conductor Robert Chasey and young flautist from Chetham’s School of Music, Joanne Lee.

Robert was for many years Principal Second Violin of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, and as a soloist he performed all over the world.

The concert will open with the overture from Offenbach’s popular comic opera, La Belle Helene.

It tells the story of Paris and Helen and her abduction by the Trojan prince disguised as a shepherd. It is filled with lively melodies and dance rhythms.

This is followed by a beautiful flute composition, popularised by James Galway: the Poulenc Flute Sonata, orchestrated by Lennox Berkeley.

The orchestra is joined for this by 18-year-old flautist, Joanne Lee, currently studying at Chetham’s School of Music.

Joanne was born in South Korea and moved to America when she was nine.

She started playing the flute in America and moved to Chetham’s at the age of 12. In her first year there Joanne won the annual Chetham’s concerto competition.

She was in the category final of BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2016.

For the next piece of music, cast off your sophisticated French couture and don your check shirts and cowboy boots for a rousing stomp with Aaron Copland’s Rodeo.

The orchestra will play two movements from the ballet suite: Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe-Down.

The second half of the concert is one of the most popular symphonies of all time, Dvorak’s beautiful Symphony No. 9, from the New World.

Conductor Robert Chasey said: “The New World is hugely popular and rightly so.

“In all aspects of construction, orchestration and invention it goes to the top of the tree.”

The concert takes place in the Festival Hall in Alderley Edge at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £1 for under-18s. Tickets will be available on the door or can be bought in advance through aeso.org.uk or on the ticket hotline 01625 581321.

If you are a string player looking to join the orchestra get in touch via the website or by calling Roger Dowling on 01925 756390.