In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten in 1976, we open with arguably his best-loved orchestral work, the “Four Sea Interludes” from his opera Peter Grimes. This will be followed by Richard Strauss’s finest and final vocal composition, his Four Last Songs, performed tonight by one of the world’s greatest Strauss interpreters, British soprano Elizabeth Watts. Elizabeth is a former BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artist and is much in demand across the world; we are delighted to welcome her back to the Festival.

After the interval we will hear Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, the Pathétique. A deeply emotional work that famously ends in a slow, sorrowful fade to silence, subverting the typical triumphant finale, it was described by Tchaikovsky in letters as “the best thing I ever composed or shall compose”. He died nine days after its premier performance, which he conducted himself. Tonight’s conductor, Tom Fetherstonhaugh has already appeared at the Festival with his own orchestra, Fantasia, and we look forward to welcoming him with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a much-loved Festival favourite.

Performers
Elizabeth Watts soprano
Tom Fetherstonhaugh conductor
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Programme to include:
Britten “Four Sea Interludes”
Strauss Four Last Songs
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6, Pathétique

PLEASE NOTE this concert should be booked via the Festival website only

Sponsored by Greenham Trust