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Fantastic Symphony

BBC Symphony Orchestra/Bignamini

,Hall
Jader Bignamini turning his head to look at the camera, with orange swirls surrounding him

Severed heads, demonic orgies and obsessive love. Jader Bignamini pairs Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique with the equally colourful imaginations of Poulenc and Camile Pépin. 

‘Convinced that his love is spurned, the artist poisons himself with opium…’ Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique is the musical head-trip to end all head-trips, a no-holds barred phantasmagoria for an enormous orchestra.

And that’s not even the half of it, in a concert that features the massed voices of the BBC Symphony Chorus in Poulenc’s barnstorming Gloria, and which opens with Camille Pépin’s visionary, ravishing Les eaux celestes. Sky gods, lovers, a celestial river and the cowherd of the stars: it’s hard to imagine a better counterpart for Berlioz’s spectacular sonic imagination than the UK premiere of this symphonic retelling of an ancient Chinese myth. Prepare to be transported…

Tagged with: Classical music BBC Symphony Orchestra Multibuy Feb–Jul 2024 BBC Symphony Orchestra

The end time for this performance will be added closer to the performance date

Produced by BBC Symphony Orchestra

Programme

  • Camille Pepin   Les Eaux Célestes (UK premiere)
  • Francis Poulenc   Gloria
  • Hector Berlioz   Symphonie Fantastique

Performers

  • BBC Symphony Orchestra  
  • Jader Bignamini*   conductor
  • Elizabeth Watts*   soprano
  • BBC Symphony Chorus  

* This concert will now be conducted by Jader Bignamini in place of Daniele Rustioni, and Elizabeth Watts replaces Sally Matthews as soprano soloist.

Digital programme

Hall

Location
The Barbican Hall is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
​​​​​​​The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.