Join us at the Edinburgh International Festival for a captivating evening with the "Capriccio" by the Philharmonia, taking place at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Sunday, 25 August 2024, at 6pm. This remarkable event features the world-renowned British conductor Sir Andrew Davis, alongside a stellar cast including Malin Byström as Countess Madeleine, Bo Skovhus as Count, Sebastian Kohlhepp as Flamand, and many more talented artists.

"Capriccio," Richard Strauss's final opera, is a masterful exploration of the eternal debate between music and poetry, brought to life through the story of Countess Madeleine, torn between her two suitors: a composer and a poet. The opera is celebrated for its wit, dynamism, and the profound musical and poetic inquiry at its heart. Highlights include the soulful opening String Sextet and the lyrical closing monologue by Countess Madeleine, reflecting on the inseparability of music and poetry.

This performance is especially significant as Sir Andrew Davis returns to "Capriccio" in his 80th birthday year, having made his operatic debut with this very work. With a cast led by the much-admired Malin Byström, known for her role as Salome at the 2022 Festival, this promises to be an unforgettable evening.

Tickets start from £27.50, with concessions available for D/deaf, disabled, neurodivergent people, under 18s, arts workers, and under 30s. A limited number of £10 Affordable Tickets are also available to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience this magnificent work. Don't miss your chance to witness this extraordinary blend of music, poetry, and performance at one of the world's most prestigious festivals.

Edinburgh International Festival: Capriccio

The Usher Hall

Experience the profound beauty of Bach's St Matthew Passion like never before at the Edinburgh International Festival. This exceptional performance, led by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra under the baton of Ryan Wigglesworth, showcases Felix Mendelssohn's transformative arrangement of Bach's masterpiece. Set to take place at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on Sunday, 4th August 2024, at 3:00 pm, this concert promises to be a historic event that revisits and celebrates the monumental impact Mendelssohn had on Bach's revival in the 19th century.

The concert will feature an impressive lineup of soloists, including Elizabeth Watts (Soprano), Dame Sarah Connolly (Alto), Laurence Kilsby (Tenor), James Atkinson (Bass), Ed Lyon (Evangelist), and Neal Davies (Christus), alongside the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, and the RSNO Youth Chorus. Together, they will bring to life the urgent narrative and potent emotions of the Passion story, from Christ’s capture to his trial and crucifixion.

This rendition of St Matthew Passion not only highlights Mendelssohn's role in the Bach revival but also offers audiences a chance to immerse themselves in the dramatic and emotional depth of the work. Tickets start from £22.50, making this a must-attend event for classical music enthusiasts and those looking to experience the power of Bach's music, reimagined by Mendelssohn's genius.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a musical journey that bridges history and emotion, set against the backdrop of one of the world's most prestigious festivals. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable afternoon at Usher Hall.

Eif: St Matthew Passion

Most recently awarded The King’s Medal for Music, Dame Sarah Connolly is recognized across the globe as one of the most influential singers of our time. She is joined by renowned pianist Joseph Middleton for a not-to-be-missed performance of Mahler's Rückert-Lieder, as well as songs by Barber, Berg, Schönberg, and more. 

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TSM presents Connolly & Middleton

The Royal Conservatory of Music

John Storgårds and the BBC Philharmonic return to the Proms for Rachmaninov’s First Symphony. Dame Sarah Connolly joins them for songs by Alma Mahler-Werfel and Dora Pejačević.

Prom 33: Rachmaninov, Mahler-Werfel and Pejačević

Royal Albert Hall

Sir Mark cites the Virgin Mary’s aria, ‘The sun goeth down’, as its gem, indeed a ‘standout moment in all Elgar where the exultance of the music is very real’. It will be sung by Gemma Summerfield; and as Mary Magdalene, Dame Sarah Connolly makes a most welcome return to the Hallé. Thomas Atkins and Ashley Riches sing St John and St Peter respectively. What Sir Mark describes as Elgar’s ‘Malvern trilogy’ ends with a fervent setting of The Lord’s Prayer, with the composer drawing together the now familiar themes that have woven their way through these iconic oratorios.

The Kingdom

The Bridgewater Hall

Tippett’s A Child of Our Time begins in sorrow: “The world turns on its dark side. It is winter.” Composed at the start of the Second World War but provoked by decades of intolerance, Tippett’s “modern oratorio” is built around the soul-shaking melodies of African-American spirituals. But the human spirit is unbreakable, and this great British choral masterpiece is anything but a counsel of despair.

Sir Andrew Davis conducts A Child of Our Time

Barbican Centre

Two musical Dames at the very tops of their respective professions – Dame Sarah Connolly received The King’s Medal for Music in 2023, whilst Dame Imogen Cooper received the late Queen’s Medal for Music in 2019 – once again join together in recital as they previously have to considerable acclaim at such venues as the Cheltenham Festival and the Oxford International Song Festival. ‘The warm relationship between both performers came across in their performance and the audience was delighted’, wrote the Henley Standard. The programme includes songs both familiar and unfamiliar , including Loewe’s setting of texts better known from Schumann and examples by the neglected Swiss composer Othmar Schoeck.

Dame Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano; Dame Imogen Cooper piano

Wigmore Hall

Join us for an enchanting evening with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) as we present "The Music Makers" on Wednesday, 20th November 2024, at 7:30pm in the prestigious Symphony Hall, Birmingham. This special concert is a celebration of the art of making music, featuring an exceptional lineup of talent under the baton of Sofi Jeannin, with the distinguished Dame Sarah Connolly lending her mesmerizing mezzo-soprano voice to the performance.

The evening's programme is a tribute to the creators and performers of music, starting with Judith Weir’s "Music, Untangled," which draws inspiration from Scottish folk songs, and Nico Muhly’s "Friday Afternoons," a piece inventively written for children that follows in the footsteps of Britten’s example. Benjamin Britten's "The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra" offers a fascinating tour of the orchestra's sections and instruments, while Edward Elgar's "The Music Makers" includes quotes from his famous "Nimrod," creating a profound connection between the composer and the performers.

The concert will feature performances by the CBSO Chorus, CBSO Youth Chorus, and CBSO Children's Chorus, making it a truly collaborative effort showcasing the breadth and depth of musical talent across generations.

Tickets are priced between £26 and £62, with a per-ticket commission of £3.50 included for tickets priced over £15. We are pleased to offer a range of ways to save on your tickets, including multi-buy discounts and reduced prices for students, 18-30s, under-18s, and benefit recipients.

The concert is expected to last approximately 2 hours, with a 20-minute interval. Don't miss this opportunity to experience the power and beauty of music as brought to life by the CBSO and its choruses, led by the remarkable Sofi Jeannin and Dame Sarah Connolly. Book your tickets now for an unforgettable musical journey.

The Music Makers

The International Convention Centre

Mahler’s Second Symphony was one of his most successful works during his lifetime. Inspired in part by the death of his colleague and friend Hans von Bülow, the symphony is the composer’s tribute to his life-long ideals of the beauty of resurrection and the afterlife.

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony

Dame Sarah Connolly DBE and Masabane Cecilia Rangwanasha, 2021’s BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, lend their voices to this performance of Mahler’s ‘Resurrection’ Symphony.

Mahler’s Second Symphony was one of his most successful works during his lifetime. Inspired in part by the death of his colleague and friend Hans von Bülow, the symphony is the composer’s tribute to his life-long ideals of the beauty of resurrection and the afterlife.

It was at Bülow’s funeral that Mahler heard the Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock hymn Die Auferstehung (The Resurrection), the refrain of which is ‘Rise again, yes, you shall rise again my dust’. These words, combined with Mahler’s own verses, provide the text for the symphony’s fifth and final movement, written for soloists and chorus combined, and probably the greatest depictions of redemption and renewal in all music. Under the baton of Kahchun Wong, this promises to be a truly memorable experience.

The Hallé - Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony

Peter Grimes is a tale of isolation and prejudice. Haunted by rumours and suspicion, a fisherman finds himself grappling with inner demons as the local community turns against him. But what really happened to his apprentice? Uncover the mysteries of a coastal village, where the sea whispers secrets and everyone thinks they know your business, as tragedy unfolds against the ominous backdrop of powerful, melodic waves

Dame Sarah Connolly

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 16, 2024

Dame Sarah Connolly mezzo-soprano; Dame Imogen Cooper piano · Wigmore Hall

Nov 20, 2024

The Music Makers · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Jan 16, 2025

Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony · The Hallé

Jan 16, 2025

The Hallé - Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony · The Bridgewater Hall

Apr 5 - Jun 7, 2025

Peter Grimes Britten · Welsh National Opera

Past events

Aug 25, 2024

Edinburgh International Festival: Capriccio · Philharmonia Orchestra

Aug 4, 2024

Eif: St Matthew Passion · Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Clairon in Capriccio by Strauss

Philharmonia Orchestra

Singer in Concerto for Double String Orchestra by Tippett

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Singer in St Matthew Passion by

Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Singer in A Child of Our Time by Tippett

BBC Symphony Orchestra

Singer in The Music Makers by

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

About

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