Farnborough Symphony Orchestra - November Concert 2013-14

Event information

Music Director : Mark Fitz-Gerald

Soloist : Ruth Kerr (Soprano)

Verdi : Overture 'Nabucco'
Verdi : Aida aria 'Ritorna Vincitor'
Verdi : Otello - Ballet
Wagner : Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod
Shostakovich : Symphony No. 12 in D Minor 'The Year of 1917', Op. 112

Our opening concert of the 2013-14 season starts by marking the 200th birthday of two of the world's greatest (and contrasting) operatic composers: Verdi and Wagner. Our soloist, Ruth Kerr, is currently performing the title role in Verdi's Aida for Kentish Opera; her performance is certain to be special. There have also been many requests for another Shostakovich symphony and the twelfth is a much greater work than many believe. As in the fifth, the composer disguises some very private and contoversial views. The end of the finale, in particular, is a public celebration of Lenin's achievements. However, Shostakovich secretly parades Stalin's initials in the music (of course using Cyrillic 'S' or 'C' natural) and then destroys him with D major ('D' for Dimitri). The opportunity to hear this rarely performed symphony is truly irresistible!