SIR MARK ELDER

Berlioz is one of Sir Mark Elder's favourite composers. His versions of Benvenuto Cellini, Romeo et Juliette, Cleopâtre, the Requiem and the Symphonie fantastique have been praised by critics. For this concert, the British maestro has chosen L'Enfance du Christ, a sacred trilogy by the illustrious French composer based on the biblical episodes of The Dream of Herod, The Flight into Egypt and The Arrival at Sais. A work of fascinating beauty, its performance requires the musical sensitivity and impeccable technique that distinguish Elder's work, placed at the service of Berlioz's refined orchestration and the moving choruses and solo arias. These will be heard in the voices of mezzo Katie Lindsey as the Virgin Mary, a regular guest at Covent Garden, the Metropolitan, Salzburg, Vienna and La Scala (with her recent Rosenkavalier), and bass-baritones Gordon Bintner and William Thomas, together with the Cor de la Generalitat Valenciana.