Chromatica Orchestra – Les Illuminations

Ralph Vaughan Williams Concerto Grosso                          

Benjamin Britten Les illuminations                                                                   

Karl Jenkins Allegretto from Palladio                                                             

Edward Elgar Introduction and Allegro for Strings                                                          

Chromatica Orchestra 

Peter Manning conductor 

Robin Tritschler tenor 

Emotions stirred, imagination sparked, beauty celebrated, creativity ignited. Chromatica Orchestra unleashes a new live orchestral experience. 

A spirited collective of young, vibrant and daring professional musicians, collaborating with a new generation of exceptional conductors and inspirational soloists, Chromatica infuses every performance with vigour and passion, creating memorable immersive entertainment. 

On the programme for this one-hour show are four pieces by British composers inspired by the elegant beauty of the Italian Baroque and the messy romanticism of 19th-century France.   

Ralph Vaughan Williams Concerto Grosso (14 minutes) 

Lush strings surge and shimmer in this mysterious, epic musical landscape. It feels like listening to the soundtrack for the next must-see TV fantasy drama series.  

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Benjamin Britten Les Illuminations (20 minutes) 

French poet Arthur Rimbaud embodied the tortured, opiate-addled artist. His transgressive, surrealist writing has inspired countless musicians including Bob Dylan, Patti Smith and English composer Benjamin Britten, who transformed nine of Rimbaud’s poems into this set of songs that range from joyfully frivolous to deeply introspective. 

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Karl Jenkins Allegretto from Palladio for Strings (4 minutes) 

Hear one of the most-loved pieces by one of the world’s most-performed composers. Inspired by the harmony and order of Antonio Palladio’s perfectly proportioned Italian villas, this piece will captivate you with its thrilling drama. 

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Edward Elgar Introduction and Allegro for Strings (14 minutes) 

With its arresting opening and soulful, folk-like melody, this music was inspired by the sound of a choir carrying on the wind during a blustery walk along the Welsh coast.   

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On the stage with Chromatica Orchestra are: 

Peter Manning conductor 

As Founding Artistic Director, Peter is the driving force behind Chromatica and creator of tonight’s programme, bringing to life his vision for supporting the next generation of orchestral musicians to reveal the joy and beauty of live classical music. 

Robin Tritschler tenor 

Irish tenor Robin Tritschler’s ‘mellifluous tone, flawless technical prowess and impeccable diction’ make him an outstanding storyteller.  

Age recommendation 10+