RPO: Magic and Mysticism at Cadogan Hall

About the Event

In this highly‐anticipated concert, hear the mellifluous sounds of classical music by Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Fauré and Ibert at London's treasured and world‐renowned Cadogan Hall.

Alexander Shelley (Principal Conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) ventures into the world of fairy tales with a selection of two theatre pieces by Fauré and Mendelssohn. Fauré's suite from Pelléas et Mélisande combines gorgeous melodies with exciting moments, adding exquisite detail to the story, from the chase of the wild horns to the pulsating string trills that represent Mélisande's spinning wheel. She also includes the Sicilian's sublime flute melody, a signature tune of Fauré's and one of his most famous works.

The fairies and enchanted woods of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream fascinated Mendelssohn at an early age, and he was inspired to write an overture to this popular tale many years before he wrote the rest of the musical text (including the famous Wedding March). Despite this hiatus, Mendelssohn's music retains the freshness of the overture and exudes a bright and lyrical charm that perfectly captures the mood of the work, the glittering dwarfs and the magical woodland setting with its proverbs, songs and orchestral arrangements.

Ibert's energetic Flute Concerto showcases the virtuosity of the RPO's first flutist, Emer McDonagh. The concerto, dedicated to the great French flautist Marcel Moses, showcases the flute's full range, contrasting fast and bright passages, elegant phrases and rich tones.