Royal Northern Sinfonia

This concert of French music begins with Debussy’s ground-breaking orchestral prelude, based on a poem by Mallarmé in which a faun sees two beautiful nymphs and savours the exquisite memory whilst drifting in and out of sleep, and Françaix’s virtuosic Wind Quintet, a work that achieved a success beyond the composer’s wildest dreams. Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro illustrates the full expressive range of the harp, almost like a miniature concerto. The concert draws to a close with Saint–Saëns’s seductive Fantaisie for violin and harp and Debussy’s picturesque and atmospheric seascape, La mer.

Pre-concert talk: Two members of Royal Northern Sinfonia will discuss the evening’s programme. The talk will commence on the raked seating at 6.30pm. Tickets cost £3 and include a complimentary drink.