Four Last Songs

Nikolai Tcherepnin La Princesse LointaineStrauss Four Last SongsRimsky-Korsakov ScheherazadeKarel Deseure ConductorSarah Brady SopranoWomen take centre stage in a celebration of their leading role in art and life.

Princess Melisande, the jewel of Byzantium, arrives on the Provençal coast in Nikolai Tcherepnin’s dreamlike overture for Rostand’s play La Princesse lointaine.

A canny and enchanting queen captivates her brutal Sultan husband for 1001 nights in Rimsky-Korsakov’s vivid retelling of the ancient tale, Scheherazade.

And rising star soprano Sarah Brady makes her debut with the Orchestra in Richard Strauss’ Four Last Songs.

Written at the end of his career, this sublime, autumnal orchestral song cycle is Strauss’ farewell to life, love and music.Post-concert Question Time – starts 15 minutes after the concert ends (in the Music Room) with conductor Karel Deseure and soprano Sarah Brady.