Opening with the overture to Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, the work he claimed lifted him from a “mere concoctor of opera-texts” to a true poet, we then discover Strauss’s range in a curation of his orchestral songs with soprano Francesca Chiejina, from the exuberant motherly joy of ‘Muttertändelei’ (Mother-talk) to the nervous contemplation of ‘Ruhe, meine Seele!’ (Rest, my soul!). But even without words, we see Strauss’s impeccable knack for storytelling in the symphonic fantasy Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow), a fantastical tale of motherhood and humanity. Contrasting with the narrative-driven works of these two great dramatists is Mozart’s ferociously fun Thirty-Fifth Symphony.

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Wagner, Strauss and Mozart

The Bridgewater Hall

Nicholas Collon joins us for an adventurous programme of scenic orchestral works featuring the world premiere by Composer-in-Association Tom Coult, Francesca Chiejina performs Seven Early Songs alongside a programme including Strauss' Alpine Symphony.

BBC Philharmonic | 1 April

The perfect pick-me-up for a Sunday afternoon in early January, offering the sparkle of Vienna right here in Birmingham. There’s something incredibly romantic and truly joyful about elegant waltzes, playful polkas and light-hearted operetta. So, let the CBSO whirl you into a new year feeling romanced, revitalised and ready for 2025!

Viennese New Year

The International Convention Centre

Crystal Pite’s poignant work grapples with themes of safe passage, displacement, community and mortality.

Francesca Chiejina

Events

Upcoming events

Jan 5, 2025

Viennese New Year · City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

Feb 20 - Mar 12, 2025

Light Of Passage · Royal Opera House

Past events

Nov 4, 2023

Wagner, Strauss and Mozart · BBC Philharmonic

Apr 1, 2023

BBC Philharmonic | 1 April · BBC Philharmonic

About

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