From its atmospheric beginning, Le Silence des Sirènes evokes vivid imagery of ill-fated ships on top of great, swelling waves: the score is alive with crashing percussion and warning brass interjections, the enigmatic sirens’ song provided by Faustine de Monès. Unsuk Chin drew upon several classical sources for the work, including Homer, Joyce and – most notably – Kafka, whose short story gave the work its name.

EPSG:4326

Schubert’s Great Symphony

The Bridgewater Hall

Hear the UK premiere of Hallé Featured Composer, Unsuk Chin’s shimmering Le Silence des Sirènes, ‘a dazzling reflection on Homer’s formidable femmes fatales’ (Financial Times). From its atmospheric beginning, Le Silence des Sirènes evokes vivid imagery of ill-fated ships on top of great, swelling waves: the score is alive with crashing percussion and warning brass interjections, the enigmatic sirens’ song provided by Faustine de Monès. Unsuk Chin drew upon several classical sources for the work, including Homer, Joyce and – most notably – Kafka, whose short story gave the work its name. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes opens the programme: orchestral ‘scene changes’ from his opera Peter Grimes conveying the changing mood of the storytelling, but always with an atmospheric undercurrent of foreboding. Schubert’s majestic Symphony No.9 will round off the evening, with conductor Elena Schwarz showing us exactly why it’s known as ‘The Great’.

Faustine De Monès

Events

Past events

Oct 23, 2025

Schubert’s Great Symphony · The Hallé

Oct 23, 2025

The Hallé – Schubert’s Great Symphony · The Bridgewater Hall

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Four Sea Interludes by Britten

The Hallé

Singer in Symphony No. 9 by Schubert

The Hallé

Singer in Le silence des Sirènes by Chin

The Hallé

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