The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and Music School announced this week that they have extended the contract of Maestro Bramwell Tovey for the next five years.

The British conductor came to us via Canada and says he has fallen in love with Rhode Island, where he now makes his home and his daughter attends college.

Not only has Tovey fallen in love with Rhode Island, Rhode Islanders have fallen in love with his English accent, keen sense of humor, and with his talents behind the podium.

Proof of his talents could be heard Sunday afternoon as he led the orchestra in Handel’s Messiah, joined by the Providence Singers in what was certainly one of the finest renditions of the  annual production.

Tovey will return to the podium on January 21 and 22 to lead the orchestra in Beethoven’s Fifth, one of the most recognizable symphonies performed worldwide.

He will be joined by violinist Benjamin Beilman in Brahms Violin Concerto.

A Rush Hour concert will be held on Friday, January 21.  At 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, January 22 at 8:00 p.m. at Vets. A special side-by-side concert with students from the R.I. Philharmonic Music School will be added to the program as they perform Wagner’s Prelude to Act 1 of “Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg”.

Tickets are available by calling 248-7000. Or going on line at boxoffce@riphil.org.