Prom 71: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique perform Berlioz – 5.09.18

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

19:30
Royal Albert Hall

Hector Berlioz: Overture 'Le corsaire'
Hector Berlioz: La mort de Cléopâtre
Hector Berlioz: The Trojans – Royal Hunt and Storm
Hector Berlioz: The Trojans – Dido’s death scene
Hector Berlioz: Harold in Italy

Antoine Tamestit viola
Joyce DiDonato mezzo-soprano
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
Sir John Eliot Gardiner conductor

Sir John Eliot Gardiner and his Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique continue their cycle of Berlioz performances, which will reach its climax next season in the 150th-anniversary year of the composer’s death. Some of Berlioz’s most colourful and dramatic works come together here in a programme that draws not only from concert works including the filmic overture Le corsaire and the magnificent symphony with solo viola Harold in Italy, but also from Berlioz’s great opera The Trojans. Star mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato joins the orchestra to sing Dido’s heartbreaking final scene.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I'm something of a HIPP-sceptic, but I remain a huge fan of JEG. His judgement so often seems spot on.

[BBMmk2]

Oh I’m rather a fan of both of these. JEGGERS certainly has the Midas Touch in everything he does!

[BBMmk2]

Oh I’m rather a fan of both of these. JEGGERS certainly has the Midas Touch in everything he does!

I’m surprised there’s been no more comments about thisProm. The two just go hand in hand , as far as I’m concerned.

[Darkbloom]

Apart from JEG, is there anyone around now who really conducts Berlioz with sympathy and understanding? Rattle programmes him sometimes but it doesn't feel like he's central to his musical life. Berlioz still needs committed advocates if we're ever going to hear much more than the Symphonie Fantastique.

[vinteuil]

Apart from JEG, is there anyone around now who really conducts Berlioz with sympathy and understanding? .

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http://amzn.eu/d/5d181EA

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[Darkbloom]

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http://amzn.eu/d/5d181EA

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Thanks. For some reason I thought Nelson was a Baroque specialist. The Trojans sounds intriguing. Both Davis recordings have major flaws so I will have to get this new version.

[bluestateprommer]

Sir JEG certainly doesn't waste time, in that the applause had barely finished before he launched into Le corsaire; cracking, energetic reading. (Donald Macleod had another unintended 'tip of the slongue' moment when he said "Harold in Italy starts with" instead of "Le corsaire starts with...".)

[BBMmk2]

Sir JEG certainly doesn't waste time, in that the applause had barely finished before he launched into Le corsaire; cracking, energetic reading. (Donald Macleod had another unintended 'tip of the slongue' moment when he said "Harold in Italy starts with" instead of "Le corsaire starts with...".)

Indeed! I think this Prom will be over in a blink of an eye!

[zola]

Apart from JEG, is there anyone around now who really conducts Berlioz with sympathy and understanding? Rattle programmes him sometimes but it doesn't feel like he's central to his musical life. Berlioz still needs committed advocates if we're ever going to hear much more than the Symphonie Fantastique.

Robin Ticciati ?

[jayne lee wilson]

Lean, crisp, open-air textures, rhythm and phrasing turning on a sixpence, the dynamically explosive, razor-sharp brilliance of the brass... yes, it's the ORR/JEG with their revitalised Berlioz....

Corsaire excellent, Royal Hunt a little less well played, but I still love the textures these instruments create even in the big space.... the mezzo items aren't for me, I'm afraid...

[bluestateprommer]

Indeed! I think this Prom will be over in a blink of an eye!

Well, Sir JEG knows when to let the music breathe, especially in support of Joyce DiDonato, who sounded good, but where I do want to give her selections another listen later at home on speakers (and preferably with the texts). Nice of the ORR to "do a Budapest Festival Orchestra" and serve as the chorus for the 'Royal Hunt & Storm'.

[BBMmk2]

Well, Sir JEG knows when to let the music breathe, especially in support of Joyce DiDonato, who sounded good, but where I do want to give her selections another listen later at home on speakers (and preferably with the texts). Nice of the ORR to "do a Budapest Festival Orchestra" and serve as the chorus for the 'Royal Hunt & Storm'.

Quite stunning that was as well!

[bluestateprommer]

Hmm, was not expecting that encore from La damnation de Faust with both of tonight's soloists. Just before that, I admit to uncertainty as to whether some of the tempi in certain sections made the best case for Harold en Italie at all moments. But this is one of the major symphonic works that I've never heard live, so one takes what one can get. Plus, Gardiner wasn't being all "lean and mean" with his treatment of the score, and Tamestit did very nicely. It will be interesting to hear from anyone in the hall, who could see the theatrics as well as hear the music.

[edashtav]

Well, Sir JEG knows when to let the music breathe, especially in support of Joyce DiDonato, who sounded good, but where I do want to give her selections another listen later at home on speakers (and preferably with the texts). Nice of the ORR to "do a Budapest Festival Orchestra" and serve as the chorus for the 'Royal Hunt & Storm'.

Yes, a good first half... yes, bsp, Jeggers knows about the importance of breathing. I was watching a video of David Hill conducting in the States a few day’s ago, and it was those moments of stillness that round one phrase and prepare audience and musicians for the next that, when cannily judged, make all the difference.