Viva Italia

Mendelssohn's 'Italian' Symphony, Rossini's overture 'An Italian Girl in Algiers' and arias and Neapolitan songs from soprano Camilla Wright

Italy – world famous for its architecture, culture, art, opera, literature, film, fashion, tradition, technology, innovation, food and wine, and, of course, music. Felix Mendelssohn travelled to Italy in 1830, starting in Venice and, over the next 10 months, worked his way south to Rome, stopping in Bologna and Florence along the way, and then to Naples and Pompeii before returning to Germany through Genoa and Milan. He was a decent amateur painter and recorded his impressions of the trip in a series of watercolours and sketches and, of course, his famous ‘Italian’ Symphony. Opening with a burst of sound – a jubilant string melody accompanied by woodwinds – the symphony is a testament to supreme joy in life, and is one of the most uplifting and joyous pieces ever written.

Puccini reinvented grand opera on an intimate, human scale, painting the lives of everyday people through music of exquisite and timeless beauty, with arias that speak directly to the heart. Soprano Camilla Wright will perform Vissi d’arte from Tosca and O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi plus Casta Diva by Bellini. Then it’s off to Naples, city of artists, poets and great passions and songs, songs that speak of love, sea, stars, hearts and longing. O Solo Mio! Plus more instrumental music from Rossini, Respighi, Mascagni, Rimsky-Korsakov and Rota (this is an offer you can’t refuse).