Jacques Ibert's fun-loving Bacchanale sets the tone of this spirited concert. It's an extrovert entrée to Paul Hindemith's homage to Carl Maria von Weber. These artful variations on some great tunes make a compelling orchestral showpiece, including a jazzy earworm and a swaggering final march. A collection of lusty writings proved an alluring subject for Carl Orff, who turned their satirical commentary into a twentieth-century choral classic. Powered by boundless rhythmic energy, Carmina Burana gives voice to young lovers and ribald merrymakers with a knowing wink at good taste and a riot of colours from a massive orchestra and choir.
Free pre-concert talk, 6.30pm in the auditorium: Professor Robert Adlington on Orff's Carmina Burana
