Conductor

Heroes are dangerous – they can inspire us to great things, or, if they stumble, shatter our illusions. Elysium by Samy Moussa finds us in the everlasting paradise where heroes dwell; majestic, virtuous and ecstatically triumphant. Beethoven’s Third Symphony lost its original dedication when Napoleon turned from hero to villain and the epigraph simply became ‘Heroic... dedicated to the memory of a great man’; this extraordinary, revolutionary symphony makes a hero of Beethoven himself. Dvořák’s Violin Concerto was not written for a hero so much as a friend and collaborator in Joseph Joachim and it is bursting with Czech folk music influences, especially in its skirling, dancing final movement.

EPSG:4326

Ulster Orchestra: The Hero's Journey

Ulster Hall

Heroes are dangerous – they can inspire us to great things, or, if they stumble, shatter our illusions. Elysium by Samy Moussa finds us in the everlasting paradise where heroes dwell; majestic, virtuous and ecstatically triumphant. Beethoven’s Third Symphony lost its original dedication when Napoleon turned from hero to villain and the epigraph simply became ‘Heroic… dedicated to the memory of a great man’; this extraordinary, revolutionary symphony makes a hero of Beethoven himself. Dvořák’s Violin Concerto was not written for a hero so much as a friend and collaborator in Joseph Joachim and it is bursting with Czech folk music influences, especially in its skirling, dancing final movement.

The Hero’s Journey

Belfast

The Ulster Orchestra is delighted to return to Coleraine for their annual concert to perform this exhilarating concert with special guests, violinist Alena Baeva and conductor Gabriel Bebeşelea.

On Your Doorstep: The Hero’s Journey in Coleraine

The Diamond Hall

Soloist from the Berlin Philharmonic Jesper Busk Sørensen plays with memories in Signe Lykke's new trombone concerto – and Tchaikovsky challenges fate itself in his 4th symphony.

Tchaikovsky 4

Aarhus Music Hall

The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra bids farewell to summer with a vibrant open-air concert on Sint-Jansplein. Under the baton of Romanian conductor Gabriel Bebeșelea, the orchestra ignites the evening with spirited works by Arturo Márquez, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein. This festive programme not only celebrates Antwerp but also sets the tone for their journey to the prestigious George Enescu Festival in Bucharest. Expect jazzy rhythms, a southern festival flair, and a uniquely Antwerp conviviality. Join us and toast to a memorable summer finale!

Classic on the Square

St. John's Square

"Orpheus' Comet" by the Bulgarian-English composer Dobrinka Tabakova is a homage to Monteverdi's opera "L'Orfeo" and the Orpheus myth in general. At first, a buzzing swarm of bees appears to be circling the orchestra—an allusion to the beekeeper Aristaeus, who (according to the myth) was responsible for the death of Orpheus's lover, Eurydice. Gradually, solemn melodies emerge, and at the end, the (slightly altered) opening hymn from "L'Orfeo" resounds, pompous as a stadium fanfare.

Conductor

Gabriel Bebeșelea

Events

Upcoming events

11 - 12 Jun, 2026

Beaming with joy · Bochumer Symphoniker

Past events

Nov 21, 2025

Ulster Orchestra: The Hero's Journey · Ulster Hall

Nov 21, 2025

The Hero’s Journey · Ulster Orchestra

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Violin Concerto by Beethoven

Bochumer Symphoniker

Conductor in Danzón No. 2 by Márquez

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Conductor in Elysium by Moussa

Ulster Orchestra

Conductor in Gaelic Symphony by Beach

Bochumer Symphoniker

Conductor in Symphony No. 3 by Beethoven

Ulster Orchestra

Conductor in Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Conductor in Violin Concerto by Dvořák

Ulster Orchestra

Conductor in West Side Story by Bernstein

Antwerp Symphony Orchestra

Conductor in Orpheus' Comet by Tabakova

Bochumer Symphoniker

About

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