Nicola Benedetti takes Festival bow at Usher Hall

VIOLINIST Nicola Benedetti made her Festival debut at the Usher Hall on the second day of a four-concert residency by the London Symphony Orchestra.

The star took to the stage yesterday, performing the same piece by Szymanowski which won her the BBC Young Musician at the age of 16.

The orchestra’s conductor Valery Gergiev further bridged the divide between the two cities, also being honorary president of the Festival.