Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream

The evening

Musicians love Shakespeare – and it’s easy to understand why: from his sublime poetry and prose to his profound explorations of humanity, he left behind an incomparable wealth of material to move and inspire. This thoroughly enjoyable programme features three of the best musical responses from the 19th and 21st centuries. Strauss’ first tone poem depicts the complex dynamics between toxic medieval power couple, the Macbeths. Adès’ Five Spells includes, after a spectacular ‘Storm’, a series of fascinating character portraits from his most magical operatic score. And there is further magic in Mendelssohn’s endlessly beguiling score to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, including the famous ‘Wedding March’.

This concert is generously supported by the Clive Richards Foundation, Chris and Jane Loughran, and the Leverhulme Trust.