Philharmonia Orchestra London: Santtu conducts Sleeping Beauty

About the Event

Immerse yourself in the enchanting tale of Sleeping Beauty—a timeless story of fairy godmothers, both benign and malevolent, a destined princess on the brink of her ill‐fated sixteenth birthday, and a valiant prince whose love‐laden kiss promises redemption. This cherished narrative, weaving its magic since the fourteenth century, found one of its most celebrated expressions in 1890, when Tchaikovsky transformed it into an iconic ballet. Under the expert baton of our Principal Conductor, Santtu‐Matias Rouvali, whose prowess with ballet scores is noteworthy, audiences are ushered into the story's poignant moments—from the malefic curse cast by the sinister fairy Carabosse, the delightful cadences of the Garland Waltz and Rose Adage on Princess Aurora's momentous birthday celebration, the thrilling encounter with the prince during the hunting party, to the majestic 'happily ever after' culmination.

Joining us on this magical journey is Gil Shaham—a violin virtuoso hailed not only for his impeccable technical artistry but also his captivating stage charisma. Shaham will grace us with a rendition of Dvořák's Violin Concerto. As a violin aficionado, Dvořák infused this magnum opus with a unique blend of his craftsmanship and the unmistakable essence of the Czech spirit. Embark on a musical odyssey starting with a vibrant and multifaceted first movement, transitioning to a melodiously rhapsodic Adagio, culminating in a spirited finale teeming with rhythmic, dance‐like melodies.

To set the stage for this violin concerto, Santtu handpicks his most adored pieces from Dvořák's effervescent and unforgettable Slavonic Dances.