91Èȱ¬

Italy. Land of sun, sea and serious culture – look no further than its great operatic Hall of Fame led by Giuseppe Verdi (that’s Joe Green to you and me). Inspired by Shakespeare’s tragic Othello, soprano Mariangela Sicilia joins us for Desdemona’s poignant soliloquy.

There’s a cameo from Giacomo Puccini, making his mark as a passionate dramatist with his early Symphonic Prelude. The silken Intermezzo from the opera Cavelleria rusticana provides some serenity amidst Pietro Mascagni’s torrid Sicilian drama.

It’s not all serioso though and the proof is in tonight’s sparkling opener: Rossini’s overture to The Thieving Magpie. There are more bubbles here than in a Bellini! To finish, Pulcinella gives us Italy’s answer to Punch and Judy. Our finale brings together the medieval with another musical magpie, Igor Stravinsky. Ingenious and witty, these crystalline Baroque dances are one of the many gifts Stravinsky gave to the world of ballet.