The Hallé in Cardiff: May 2019

Smetana’s enduringly popular Overture crackles with energy, while Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, written for the virtuoso the composer never became, smoulders with passion and opens with one of the most hauntingly beautiful passages ever penned by this Finnish composer. From Romantic fervour we enter Berlioz’s hallucinogenic soundscape peopled by a tormented lover, an executioner and cavorting witches. This strikingly original symphonic journey has long been associated with the Hallé who gave its first complete performance in England in January 1879. This concert will be conducted by Sir Mark Elder featuring violinist Viktoria Mullova.

(Image credit: Heikefischer-Fotografie.de)