Archived event
Featuring
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Jaime Martín conductor
Christopher Moore viola
Program
Berlioz Harold in Italy
About this performance
The prose of Lord Byron provides the artistic inspiration behind this large-scale symphonic poem by Berlioz, in which MSO Principal Viola Christopher Moore assumes the instrumental role of Harold, a character who wanders through a tableau of Berlioz’s creation.
After the success of his startling Symphonie Fantastique, Berlioz was approached by the virtuoso violinist Paganini. Having recently acquired a Stradivarius viola, Paganini was looking for repertoire for the instrument. Harold in Italy was the result – a symphonic poem inspired by Lord Byron’s Childe Harold and Berlioz’s own travels in Italy.
Duration: approx. 50 minutes, no interval
Enhance your experience
Want to learn more about the music being performed? Stick around following the performance for an informative and entertaining post-concert talk with writer and producer Megan Steller.
Thursday 18 August at 7.45pm
Hamer Hall Stalls Foyer
Featured artists
Maestro Jaime Martín’s position as MSO Chief Conductor is supported by Dr Marc Besen AC and the late Dr Eva Besen AO.
Christopher Moore's position as MSO Principal Viola is supported by Di Jameson and Frank Mercurio.
