Prom 71: Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique perform Berlioz – 5.09.18

[David-G]

One point that no-one has commented on so far is that we only got the first part of Dido's death scene. The libretto in the concert programme included Dido climbing the steps of the pyre, her prediction of the conquering Hannibal, and stabbing herself with Aeneas' sword, which Donald Macleod faithfully summarised at the end of the item, but which we had not heard. All we had was the opening recitative and the Air Adieu, fière cité.

My companion in the hall, who was following the libretto, said that we appeared to have lost the second half of the scene, and I've just confirmed that from the iPlayer. Curious. Darkbloom commented earlier that it was "an odd piece of programming that didn't really work when pulled out of context". I agree, but I think that was because we only had part of the scene.

Apart from that, I thought it was a tremendous concert.

Yes, I noticed that too, and I am in full agreement with you.

[Darkbloom]

One point that no-one has commented on so far is that we only got the first part of Dido's death scene. The libretto in the concert programme included Dido climbing the steps of the pyre, her prediction of the conquering Hannibal, and stabbing herself with Aeneas' sword, which Donald Macleod faithfully summarised at the end of the item, but which we had not heard. All we had was the opening recitative and the Air Adieu, fière cité.

My companion in the hall, who was following the libretto, said that we appeared to have lost the second half of the scene, and I've just confirmed that from the iPlayer. Curious. Darkbloom commented earlier that it was "an odd piece of programming that didn't really work when pulled out of context". I agree, but I think that was because we only had part of the scene.

Apart from that, I thought it was a tremendous concert.

I'm glad you brought this up. It was a really unsatisfactory piece of programming. It wasn't even a death scene because she hasn't died yet. When I first saw this on the programme I thought it was odd, given that it would require the chorus for the Trojan march at the end. We got the chorus piped in for the Royal Hunt so I expected something similar. Maybe there was a technical issue but it was a weird way to close out the first half. I think they ought to have junked the Dido bit and played the dances instead.

I hope JEG gets round to doing The Trojans at the Proms.