Southbank Sinfonia

Southbank Sinfonia with Bury Court Opera perform:

• Sextet from 'Capriccio' by Richard Strauss
• Duett-Concertino for bassoon and clarinet by Richard Strauss
• Highlights from bel canto operas by Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini

Simon Over – conductor, Ruth Rosales – bassoon, Katy Ayling – clarinet, Laurie Ashworth – soprano, Nicholas Darminian – tenor

Amid the atrocities of war, art often flourishes. Few artists have shown greater defiance and strength in wartime than opera composer Richard Strauss. The opening concert features his music and some of the great operas he so loved, performed by Bury Court Opera and the young professionals of the Southbank Sinfonia, who bring their own remarkable zeal to the music.

The Gestapo threatened to harm Strauss's Jewish grandchildren if he did not comply with Hitler's wishes. He bravely continued to write the music he wanted, writing works of radiant optimism at the darkest hour, including the sextet from his opera 'Capriccio' and his very last piece, the 'Duett-Concertino'.