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You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off...

Newstead Brass will be testing the hinges of the doors to St Mary's Church in Newark this weekend as they undertake with a bit help, a very special 'Italian Job' of their own...

Italian
  Michael Caine may or may not make a guest appearance...

Never mind Michael Caine and his Union Jack minis flying over the rooftops of Turin, Newstead Brass is set to undertake an 'Italian Job' of its own this weekend with the world premiere of 'Byron in Italy'.

Written by composer Guy Turner and inspired by five poems by the 18th century Romantic poet Lord Byron, the work for band and massed choirs has been commissioned for the 2018 International Byron Festival, and will be performed in Newark on Saturday 7th July.

160 singers

Newstead Brass will be featured in a concert with over 160 singers the Sarzana Cathedral Youth Choir from Italy and the Nottinghamshire based Bingham & District Choral Society, the Newstead Abbey Singers and the Choir of St Mary's Church, Newark, where the concert is being held (7.30pm).

The Festival marks the 230th anniversary of Byron's birth and 200 years since his famous tour to Italy where he visited the Sarzana region.

The band and each of the choirs will perform individual items before joining forces for 'Byron in Italy'.

Written by composer Guy Turner and inspired by five poems by the 18th century Romantic poet Lord Byron, the work for band and massed choirs has been commissioned for the 2018 International Byron Festival4BR

Close links

A band spokesman told 4BR: "Newstead Brass has been a regular contributor to the Byron Festival. Newstead Abbey, which features on our logo was the ancestral home of the Byron family and the family vault is in the Parish Church, in Hucknall, where the band were originally formed and based.

We're delighted to have the opportunity to join with these wonderful choirs to mark this anniversary."

For more information go to the band website at: http://www.newsteadband.co.uk/

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