Palace Concerts

Artists

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo

Véronique Gens, soprano

Kazuki Yamada, conductor

Program

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

Le Corsaire, Overture, Op. 21 (1844, rev. 1851)

Les nuits d’été, Op. 7 (1840-1841)

Symphonie fantastique, épisode de la vie d’un artiste, Op. 14 (1830)

Opium Orchestral Fantasies

As an Attila arrived “to devastate the musical world”, this is how Hector Berlioz saw himself, one of the essential figures of the romantic universe, to whom the Monte-Carlo Philharmonique will dedicate the first of its two concerts at the Festival. Undoubtedly the most popular work of the musician is his Fantastic Symphony, an impressive fresco in five movements sustained by a literary program: an artist in love who feels rejected and gives himself up to opium, which brings him terrifying visions. The program is completed by one of his concert overtures, which is based on a poetic novel by Lord Byron (The Corsair), and a cycle of songs which are essential for the development of the French mélodie (Summer Nights), which will be sung by the great Véronique Gens.

In collaboration with: