LSO Berlioz Special
December 13 - 15
2019 marked the 150th anniversary of Hector Berlioz’ death. As the year approaches its final days, Stingray Classica pays one more tribute to the oeuvre of the French Romantic: on the second weekend of December, the London Symphony Orchestra presents three concerts mainly dedicated to this beloved French composer. The special commences on Friday, the 13th of December with the choral symphony Roméo et Juliette (1839). In this ground-breaking take on William Shakespeare’s bittersweet tragedy, the composer combines the playwright’s influence with all the musical drama of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies. The following day brings the Symphonie Fantastique, Op. 14, Berlioz’ famous program symphony which captures the story of an artist’s hopeless love, complete with waltzes, witches, and a hallucinogenic nightmare. Finally, on Sunday, the London Symphony Orchestra presents The Damnation of Faust – another piece in which the composer manifested his passion for a legendary tale through an epic opera interpretation.
Berlioz - Romeo et Juliette
December 13
In this ground-breaking take on William Shakespeare’s bittersweet tragedy, Hector Berlioz combines the playwright’s influence with all the musical drama of Ludwig van Beethoven’s symphonies. The Bard proved to be one of the enduring influences on Berlioz throughout his life. The composer described his first encounter with Shakespeare’s work as a ‘thunderbolt’ that changed his life – and musical imagination – forever.
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique
December 14
Berlioz let his imagination run wild in his music, finding inspiration in all manner of sources, including his own turbulent personal life. His experience of powerful, unrequited love finds its expression in the emotionally charged Symphonie Fantastique, the story of an artist’s ‘hopeless love’, complete with waltzes, witches and a hallucinogenic nightmare. There are few orchestras with the music of Berlioz more thoroughly in their blood than the LSO, and here Valery Gergiev brings to bear his opulent interpretation of this landmark piece.Featuring the acclaimed mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, this triple header also includes Hector Berlioz' Waverley Overture and Les nuits d'été.
Berlioz - The Damnation of Faust
December 15
Sir Simon Rattle and the London Symphony Orchestra mark 150 years since the death of Hector Berlioz with his tempestuous oratorio, La damnation de Faust. La damnation de Faust is a work born of the composer’s obsession with Goethe’s legendary tale. Once a righteous scholar, Faust allows himself to be corrupted by the devil, and drags the innocent around him into desperation and death. It’s a fable that defies definition – both a tragedy and dark comedy, with a central character both wise and despicable, and a play and epic poem in one.