Symphonie Fantastique

The evening

Rhapsodies, lazy afternoons – and a wild night of dreams.

This spectacular programme is bookended by two revolutionary works. Debussy’s Prelude sounds gorgeously melodic and completely uncontroversial today, but caused quite the stir at the 1899 premiere, with its sensual evocation of an afternoon in the sun. His later Rhapsodie was originally scored for saxophone, but here celebrates the distinctive, melancholy sound of the English horn, performed by renowned soloist François Leleux (who also conducts). Gipps’ lush and lyrical Sinfonietta is a further tribute to the beauty of the wind section. Berlioz’ Symphonie was composed decades before any of these, but is one of the most outrageous, genre-busting works in the repertoire. Expect to have a simply fantastique time.