Thousands of tickets sold for Newport classical festival

An extra hour of music has also been added to the bill at Proms and Prosecco in the Park, which will be held for the first time at Chetwynd Deer Park on the outskirts of the town on September 9. Live music will now start at 3pm, not 4pm as originally planned.

Organisers said ticket sales were “ahead of schedule”, and reminded people wanting to go that they must book their places in advance. Ticket sales will close on August 31.

The concert will be headlined by soprano Emily Haig, who has been seen by millions of people singing the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final, Wembley, and the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Esther Wright of organisers Fizz Festivals Ltd said: “We had expected to sell about 1,000 tickets by the start of August and we are ahead of schedule.

“We are bringing a talented variety of performers to a spectacular parkland setting and the public have responded to that. Having looked at the strength of the line-up and consulted the artists, we have decided to add an extra hour to the schedule.

“Proms and Prosecco in the Park will now run for six-hours, from 3pm until 9pm, giving extra time for each of the artists to perform. Gates open at 2pm to allow time to lay out the picnic blankets, set up the table chairs and candleabras and settle in for a wonderful afternoon.”

The line-up includes operatic tenor Jack Foley, up and coming singing star Alexandra Jayne, from nearby Wheaton Aston, and pianist and musical director David Lane, who has a 40-year career in national tours and well-known West End musicals.

For details on the event follow @FizzFestivalsLtd on Facebook or @FizzFestivals on twitter, or visit fizzfestivals.com